Two Hammonton teens were arrested early Thursday for allegedly breaking into a gas station to steal cigarettes, rolling papers and smoking pipes — and then returning for more items.
Hammonton Police Sgt. Joe Maimone said police responded about 3:30 a.m. to the Riggins Gas Station on Route 54 and Chew Road for a report of a burglary. When officers arrived, they found the glass of the front door had been smashed in and two males were inside the gas station.
Video surveillance showed the teens had broken down the door with a brick and taken items including cigarettes, cigars, rolling papers and smoking pipes, Maimone said. The pair left the store on their bicycles and then returned about a half-hour later to steal more items of the same type, he said.
The total amount of the items taken was $910, Maimone said.
The suspects, an unnamed 16-year-old boy and Johnathan Parker, 18, both of Hammonton, were arrested and both charged with burglary, possession of burglary tools, theft and resisting arrest. The juvenile also was charged with being under the influence of drugs.
Parker was lodged in the Atlantic County Jail on $35,000 full cash bail. The juvenile was released to his parents with a home detention device.
The arresting officers were Ofc. Richard Jones, Ofc. Kennith O'Neil, Ofc. Jason Rigby, Ofc. Sam Angello and Maimone.
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