Stafford Township, NJ – On January 24, 2025, at approximately 5:44 PM, patrol officers were dispatched to Home Depot 197 Route 72 in Manahawkin for a report of a motor vehicle theft. The victim advised patrol officers that his vehicle was initially parked within the proximity of the contractor pick-up area and when he returned outside, the vehicle was missing. The victim provided patrol officers with a GPS location of the vehicle which appeared to be within the vicinity of Stafford Square. Shortly thereafter, patrol officers located the victim’s vehicle parked and unoccupied in the ShopRite parking lot located at 297 Route 72 in Manahawkin. The suspect, 65 year old Michael Arsenault of Providence Avenue in Atlantic City, NJ, exited Shoprite and was placed under arrest without incident.

Further investigation on scene revealed that Arsenault had also stolen approximately $1160 of merchandise from ShopRite.  Arsenault was transported to police headquarters, charged with Theft 2C:20-3 and Shoplifting 2C:20-11. These charges were issued on a criminal complaint warrant and Arsenault was lodged in Ocean County Jail with a court appearance to be scheduled by the Ocean County Superior Court.   Officer Zachary Otte was the arresting officer.

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.