Stafford Township, NJ - On December 9, 2025, just after midnight, Stafford Township Police responded to The Manahawkin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on Route 72 for a report of a theft of a motor vehicle. An employee there reported that Jose Amaro (20 years old of N. South Carolina Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ), entered her unoccupied vehicle and had driven off with it before returning it to the parking lot several minutes later. Officers on scene located Amaro in a nearby gazebo where he was placed under arrest for theft of a motor vehicle (NJSA 2C:20-10.1).

After being processed at the Stafford Township Police Department, Mr. Amaro was released on a summons pending a future court date in Ocean County Superior Court.  Officers Brown and Barnett were the investigating officers. 

As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.