Three Arrested For Alleged Long Branch Burglary Attempt

Three men have been arrested after allegedly attempting to burglarize a Long Branch business.

arrested Cowan Rainey, 36, Mustafaa Muhammad, 32, both of Long Branch and Donald Jackson, 38, of Neptune after they allegedly attempted to burglarize Bell Latino, at 222 Broadway on Nov. 12.

Officers Sam Yoo and Edwin Gomez were dispatched to the store at 2:15 a.m. after its rear door burglar alarm was activated. Officer Yoo reportedly heard "rustling and banging noises" coming from inside the store and also observed two subjects jump over a fence onto Third Avenue, according to Detective Sgt. Jeff Pilone.

The officers got back into their cruiser and followed the subject toward the area of Belmont Avenue and called the incident in, according to Detective Sgt. Pilone.

Detective Sgt. Pilone said police discovered a "dark-colored vehicle with its lights on" in the area of Belmont Avenue. Officers Yoo, Robert Bell and Sgt. Jeff Grippaldi pulled up to the car and found three Rainey, Muhammad and Jacskon in the car. Muhammad was in the driver's seat, Rainey was in the passenger's seat and Jackson was lying in the back of the car; all dressed in dark clothing.

Detective Sgt. Pilone said officers found crowbars, two-way radios, gloves, masks and flashlights as well.

The three men were arrested and charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and possession of burglary tools. They were processed at Long Branch Police headquarters, and were transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution.