The Wawa store at 116 Brick Boulevard. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Brick police on Monday said the department’s elite Selective Enforcement Team focused on one of the township’s Wawa convenience stores last Friday after a series of complaints of criminal activity. Their efforts resulted in the arrest of five suspects on various charges.
The latest sting yielded four arrests, this time in the area of the Wawa store at 116 Brick Boulevard. Police attention was originally drawn there because of complaints from residents of an uptick in “illegal and suspicious activity,” said Sgt. Jim Kelly.
On the morning of Friday, Nov. 8, the following four subjects were arrested:
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- Michael Butler, 36, of Brick, was charged with theft and burglary when officers observed him open the driver’s door of an unlocked unoccupied vehicle that was parked at the WaWa and remove property.
- Ryan Kemble, 37, of Berkeley Township, was charged with possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance when officers observed him smoking marijuana while parked in the WaWa parking lot.
- Sean Provenzano, 34, of Wanaque, Passaic County, was charged with shoplifting when officers observed him inside the Wawa put items into his pockets and exit the store without paying.
- Jason Puzio, 51, of Brick, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance – specifically, oxycodone. Officers observed Puzio “engaged in suspicious activity” which ultimately led to a stop on his motor vehicle. Sgt. Paul Catalina and his K9 partner Duke assisted in the investigation.
“The Brick Police Department is committed to addressing reports of criminal activity and any behavior which disrupts the quality of life of our residents and those who visit and work here,” Kelly said.
