WOODBINE – Two men, including an assistant ice hockey coach for high school-aged students, were arrested and charged with multiple counts in an alleged 1,000 car break-in spree that spanned six months and two counties. The pair has also been charged with the burglary of four homes.
State Police began their investigation into the burglaries in June after receiving multiple calls reporting car break-ins in Upper Township.
According to Det. Mark Devine, the burglaries occurred in Upper Township, Dennis Township, Middle Township and Somers Point.
“During the course of the investigation, two suspects were arrested,” said Devine.
Vincent Larcombe, 25, of Vineland and Christopher Mander, 23, of Seaville were arrested Nov. 16 and charged with the burglaries.
Police said both men are unemployed, however at the time of his arrest Mander told police he is an assistant hockey coach for a Middle Township ice hockey club for high school-aged students. The club is not associated with Middle Township High School, said School Superintendent Michael Kopakowski, noting the high school does not have a school-sanctioned ice hockey team or club. Nor is the team Mander coached associated with Middle Township Recreation Department’s youth sports program.
Devine said during the course of the investigation, a search of a home in Upper Township resulted in “a lot of property” being found. Some property found was returned to its owners while other property remains with police.
“We estimate that there have been over 1,000 car burglaries,” said Devine and at least four residential burglaries.
Police said Larcombe and Mander would scope out neighborhoods.
“One person would get out,” said Devine, “and they would look for cars that were unlocked.”
He added if the alleged burglars looked inside a window of a locked car and saw something they wanted, they would smash a window with a baseball bat.
Police showed reporters a table laden with items allegedly taken by the duo. Sunglasses, wallets, credit cards, purses, a revolver, a state corrections officer’s badge as well as an Ocean City police badge were among the items found.
“During this investigation, approximately $10,000 in items have been recovered,” said Devine.
According to the detective, in addition to the items on display and returned, many items had already been sold in order to support the pair’s heroin habits.
Many items were taken over the course of the summer from vehicles owned by summer tourists.
“Some of our victims probably didn’t even realize they were victimized,” said Devine. “Some of them have and they just didn’t want to report it.”
Devine added some recovered property is identifiable and can be returned to its owner; however some items cannot be traced to their owners.
While the investigation remains ongoing, police said the pair was apprehended with information that was provided to law enforcement authorities, including Middle Township and Somers Point police.
“We used that information to identify the subjects,” said Devine.
Police received calls from homeowners who said they did not feel safe in their homes after purses were stolen along with keys to homes.
“Some people had credit cards taken that were utilized in other parts of the state,” said Devine. “It might not seem like a lot, but there were over 1,000 cars broken into. There was a lot of credit card fraud going on.”
Devine said the pair always worked together.
“They worked as a team,” said Devine. “One was the driver and the other one was the individual who searched for vehicles. They were opportunists.”
Both Mander and Larcombe were charged with multiple counts, including weapons charges.
At the time of their arrest, weapons were not found on them but according to police, weapons were stolen from a residence that was burglarized.
From information garnered, police said the two law enforcement badges taken by the suspects were to be used in the event of a confrontation with police.
“They were going to utilize these badges as identification,” said Devine. “They didn’t do that but that was what their plan was.”
Devine stressed the importance of victims contacting State Police at 609-861-5698 if they are interested in learning if their property has been recovered.
“Hopefully we can return some of their belongings,” said Devine.
Larcombe was charged with possession of altered property; unlawful possession of a handgun; theft by unlawful taking; and burglary with a weapon.
Mander was charged with fencing; unlawful possession of a handgun; theft by unlawful taking; and burglary with a weapon
.
Both men are being housed in Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $100,000 bail each.
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