Neighbor’s Tip Helps Nab Burglary Suspects

AVALON — Thanks to a watchful neighbor, local homeowners still have their big screen television.
Around 11 p.m. on Sept. 9, a resident of the west block of 30th Street called borough police after witnessing a male and female carrying a large television from a neighbor’s house and placing it in the shadows of the house and walking away.
Officers responded and found the home to be secure with no signs of forced entry.
After contacting the homeowners, police learned the name of a cleaning lady who had access to the home.
A search of the area led police to apprehend suspects who matched the description reported by the neighbor a few blocks away.
The female suspect was the daughter of the cleaning woman, Melissa Lyston, 22, of Apple Blossom Drive, North Cape May. With her was Benjamin “BJ” Beason, 25, of Cliffside Road, North Cape May. Both were charged with burglary, theft, criminal trespass and conspiracy.
Also arrested was another of the cleaning woman’s daughters, Desiree Lyston, 19, who drove up and gave false information to police during their investigation. She was charged with obstruction of justice.
All three individuals were taken to Avalon Police Headquarters, where they were charged and processed.
Municipal Court Judge George Neidig set bail for Beason at $25,000 and at $15,000 for Melissa Lyston. Desiree Lyston was released on her own recognizance.
Unable to post bail, Beason and Melissa Lyston were taken to county jail.
Patrol Officers Eric Heiseman and Eric Skillman as well as Sgt. Alan Gombar investigated the incident.