David Giordano (Photo: Ocean County Jail) and a blue line painted on Hooper Avenue. (Credit: Ocean County Scanner News)
A bizarre case of car theft has led to a Toms River man facing charges of theft and criminal mischief.
The incident began after an employee of Freedom Towing & Recovery on Route 9 called township police for a report of a vehicle theft March 22. Surveillance video, according to police, showed David Giordano, 43 of Toms River, entering a truck and driving it through the locked gate of the property. The bucket truck was found parked illegally at Toms River Town Hall in the Mayor’s parking space later that morning. The boom of the truck was extended blocking trucks from passing by.
The vehicle belonged to Giordiano, however it had been impounded and was in the lot for 313 days due to unpaid invoices owed for the impound and storage of the vehicle, police said. Giordiano was arrested on Tuesday and charged with theft of movable property, theft of services, burglary, and criminal mischief.
Giordiano is currently lodged in Ocean County Jail.
In another odd twist, the same man, on March 30, was contacted in reference to criminal mischief on Hooper Avenue near the county administration building. An investigation revealed that Giordiano was responsible for painting a four inch wide blue line between the double yellow lines on Hooper Avenue and was issued a summons for criminal mischief.
The blue line in the middle of the double-yellow lines is frequently used to show support for law enforcement, however it does not comport with the colors mandated by federal highway standards and, in some areas, has had to be removed. A black line was painted on top of the blue line on Hooper Avenue later in the day Tuesday.
“While we appreciate the overwhelming support for law enforcement, we can not condone the defacing of any property,” the statement from police said. “Due to Mr. Giordano’s extensive history with the Toms River Police Department and justice system, it was necessary to take this course of action.”
