Kevin Laird (Photo: TRPD)
Police say a man who burglarized a Toms River home broke a basement window to gain entry, then stole a bottle of vodka and a laptop from the residence. He also drank the remainder of a bottle of cough syrup containing hydrocodone while there.
Officer Vincent Pedalino investigated the Jan. 23 burglary after receiving the call at about 5:30 p.m., said police spokesman Ralph Stocco. Pedalino found that someone had broken the basement window and entered the home. It was also discovered that the suspect may have cut himself and left blood evidence behind. Once inside, the suspect removed a bottle of vodka, laptop computer, and had drunk the remainder of cough medicine containing hydrocodone. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CIU Officer Capuano responded and collected evidence from the house, Stocco said.
The next day, Toms River Police Detectives Mark Bajada and Pat Jacques developed information that led them to Kevin Laird, 42, of Raleigh Drive in Toms River.
Upon first speaking with Laird, he was observed to have fresh cuts to his face, Stocco said.
Laird initially claimed that, on the same day as the burglary, he was attacked inside of his own home by a man wielding a pipe, said Stocco.
“He reported that the man struck him in the face but he did not wish for the police to be involved,” Stocco said.
As the investigation continued, the detectives determined that Laird was the prime suspect in the burglary the previous day. Ultimately, the stolen laptop and bottle of vodka were located inside of his home and he was charged with burglary and criminal mischief, Stocco said. He has been released pending a future court date.
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