Ocean County Resident Accused of Committing 230 Burglary Offenses

According to Brick Township Police Department, after months-long multi-agency investigation has led to the arrest of a suspect tied to a series of commercial burglaries across multiple jurisdictions, including Brick Township, Manchester, Marlboro and Howell.

The suspect, identified as Craig T. Orler, a resident of Berkeley Township, faces over 230 criminal charges out of multi jurisdictions in Ocean and Monmouth Counties, including burglary, receiving stolen property, theft, criminal mischief, and fencing offenses.

Between December 2024 and January 2025, the Brick Township Police Department investigated approximately 40 burglaries at the Cube Smart storage facility located off Route 70.

The suspect, dressed in all black, was reported to have cut through a fence and used bolt cutters to gain access to storage units. Stolen property included an ATV, a motorcycle, car parts, a car engine, and various personal items.

Following investigative leads, the Brick Township Detective Bureau determined that stolen property was being sold by a person of interest. A court-authorized search warrant was executed on a residence on Mallard Road in Berkeley Township with the assistance of the Manchester Township Police, Berkeley Police, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force (OCNSF). During the search, officers recovered the stolen ATV, motorcycle, and other property.

Craig T. Orler and Melissa Orler were arrested at the scene and charged with receiving stolen property. Further warrants were conducted and confirmed Craig Orler as the primary suspect in the burglaries.

A warrant for his arrest was executed on April 28, 2025 by the Brick Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit and Detective Bureau at his residence. He now faces 90 charges connected to commercial burglaries from Brick Township.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Isabella Young and Ocean County Jail records, Orler is also facing charges in five incidents from Howell Township. According to court documents, those are also burglary cases.

According to Young, Orler has a long criminal background. During the detention hearing, she did not disclose any prior convictions; nonetheless, court documents reveal many guilty pleas in commercial burglaries spanning at least two decades.

Additional Incidents Involving Craig Orler:

Manchester Township Incidents:

Craig Orler has been linked to two separate commercial burglaries in Manchester Township:

On October 27, 2024, police responded to a break-in at Tri-State Vending, located at 141 Route 539, Suites 4 & 5. The suspect smashed the glass front door and stole approximately $4,000 in cash, multiple vending machine keys, and assorted merchandise. Surveillance footage and a court-authorized search of Orler’s vehicle revealed stolen keys, burglary tools, and clothing matching that was worn during the incident.

On November 13, 2024, a burglary occurred at Te-Amo’s Smoke Shop, located at 550 Route 530, Suite 16. The suspect forced entry through the rear door and stole $5,634.83 worth of tobacco and vape products, along with an ATM containing approximately $2,440. Orler was later charged with receiving stolen property in connection to this incident.

Howell Township:

Orler has been linked to burglaries at several businesses:

I-Storage (April 21, 2025)

Gorilla Vapes (December 8, 2024)

The Guitar Shop (November 18, 2024)

Chatzkel’s Closet (December 2, 2024)

Marlboro Township – Marlboro Self Storage:

Approximately 40 storage units at 30 Tennent Road were burglarized. Stolen property included two motorcycles, mountain bikes, and various tools. Orler has been identified as the primary suspect in this incident as well.

Cooperation Across Jurisdictions:

This investigation was made possible through the collaboration of the Brick Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police, Berkeley Township Police, Marlboro Township Police, Howell Township Police, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office OCPO and the Ocean County Sheriffs Department.

The Brick Township Police Department would like to thank all partner agencies for their dedication and professionalism in bringing this extensive case to resolution. The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).