LAKEWOOD – A Township man has been arrested and charged after stealing valuables from a Woodlake Manor resident, police said.
Around 8:30 a.m. on March 1, the 50-year-old victim found an unknown man opening her front door. While confronting him, the woman’s dog ran outside. When she exited the home to retrieve the dog, the man, who was later identified as 20-year-old Jesus Penuela of Lakewood, had moved on to a neighboring property.
Police said as the victim was returning home, Penuela began chasing her and pushed his way through the front door.
Once inside, Penuela grabbed her by the shoulders and began demanding money and jewelry. He then ordered the victim to stay with him as he navigated throughout the home looking for valuables, police said.
Penuela took several items and fled through a back sliding door. As the victim ran out of the front door, her daughter had just arrived to pick her up for an appointment. Police said the 20-year-old daughter ran to the backyard and saw Penuela fleeing on a bike.
The daughter started chasing after him and Penuela proceeded to throw things at her which contained the stolen items, police said.
Responding Officer Tymur Zavalnyuk later saw Penuela riding his bike along Ridge Avenue and subsequently placed him under arrest without incident.
Authorities discovered that the bicycle Penuela was using was stolen. He also had an imitation firearm as well as other stolen property in his backpack. The stolen property has been linked to several other recent burglaries in the town, police said.
Penuela was charged Kidnapping, Robbery, Armed Burglary, Possession of an Imitation Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Terroristic Threats. He was transported to Ocean County Jail.
The incident is currently under investigation by Lakewood Township police and additional charges are pending.
