Update: Teen Charged With Serial Car Break-Ins Around the Area

Police have charged a teen they believe is responsible for many of the vehicle break-ins happening around Monmouth County the past few months.

Last Friday, Rodney Tyler, age 19 of Farmingdale was arrested and charged with Theft and 40 counts of burglary according from Fair Haven alone, said Fair Haven Detective Jesse Dykstra. He also faces charges from Rumson and 63 counts of burglary from Tinton Falls. Wall Twp. Police initiated the arrest after finding Tyler in the vicinity of a burglary.

Tyler was charged following a joint investigation with police departments from Wall Township, Ocean Township, Tinton Falls, Deal and Rumson. Wall Twp. Police initiated the arrest after finding Tyler in the vicinity of a burglary.

The charges from Fair Haven come from multiple car break-ins on March 27 and April 3. Tyler allegedly entered 40 unlocked vehicles within the Borough of Fair Haven and in some cases removed items of value totaling $3,300. Some of the items taken include loose change and bills, gift cards, an Ipod, a laptop computer, a GPS unit, credit cards and various pieces of jewelry.

According to Dykstra, Tyler is currently being held in Freehold at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute. His bail is set at $40,000 by Fair Haven Municipal Court Judge Newman. Tyler is also being held on bail from various other jurisdictions within the county.

Police have been advising residents in local towns to lock their cars. Starting in April, Rumson, , , Little Silver and  police have reported a large count of car break-ins.  Mostly unlocked cars were targeted and small items were taken, like change and GPS devices.