UPDATE: Superior Court Judge Donna M. Taylor on April 19, 2016 ordered the dismissal of complaints against Christopher M. McHugh of North Cape May reported by Lower Township Police Department and published here April 3, 2014 as a release and April 13, 2014 in the weekly arrest report.
NORTH CAPE MAY – Lower Township Police responded to the North Cape May WaWa for the report of a motor vehicle theft March 31 at approximately 5:59 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim, David Vanaman, left his keys in his blue 2007 Chevy 2500 work truck. Upon exiting the WaWa, he discovered the truck was gone. Two possible suspects were identified. Patrol units located the stolen truck on Jennifer Lane in North Cape May and requested the assistance of Cape May County Sheriff’s K-9. The victim advised officer’s that several power tools were now missing from the truck. Further investigation led officers to the 400 block of Bryant Avenue in North Cape May, where two suspects were identified as John McHugh, 54, and his son Christopher McHugh, 31. With consent of the homeowner, the stolen tools were located and the subjects were taken into custody.
John McHugh was charged with theft, burglary, possession of stolen property and theft of a motor vehicle. Christopher McHugh was charged with theft, burglary, possession of stolen property and conspiracy.
Both father and son were placed on warrants authorized by Judge Thomas Hillegass in the amount of $50,000 each and lodged in the county jail. Incident was investigated by Patrolman Matthew Gamble, Patrolman Kevin Lewis, Patrolman John Armbruster and Detective Michael Perry.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.