Brick Officer Locates Van Used in Copper Theft, Makes Arrest

Joshua Rickline (Photo: Ocean County Jail)

A Brick police officer spotted the van suspected of being used in the theft of copper from a township heating business Friday and arrested its owner for the crime.

Officer Ryan Talty from the Selective Enforcement Team (S.E.T), was patrolling the area of Walmart in an unmarked police vehicle at about 4:10 p.m. Friday when he observed a white Ford Econoline van that matched the description of the vehicle that matched a BOLO that had been posted earlier at the department’s shift briefing, Sgt. Neal Pedersen said.

Talty followed the van as it exited Walmart onto Route 70 eastbound and then make a right onto Jack Martin Boulevard. While Talty was behind the suspect vehicle, the driver failed to stop at a stop sign and use its turn signal, and conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle at Jack Martin Boulevard and Askin Lane, said Pedersen.

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The driver was identified at Joshua Rickline Jr, 38, of Easton, Pa..

Officers Frank Mauro and Dominick Puccio, also from the SET Team, responded to assist along with the Detective Dan Waleski.

It was determined that Rickline had several warrants from Greenwich Township totaling $2,500, Sayreville for $500 and Phillipsburg for $73. His driver’s license was also suspended. He also had no bail warrant from Easton, said Pedersen.

The van being driven by a suspected copper thief. (Photo: Brick Twp. Police)

Rickline was arrested for the active warrants and also charged by Waleski with the burglary and theft from Brick Heating and Cooling. He also was issued motor vehicle violations for, driving while suspended, failure to signal and failure to observe a stop sign. Brick Township Municipal Court Judge Joseph Grisanti set bail at $25,000 cash for the burglary and theft charges and Rickline was transported to the Ocean County Jail.