Pair charged with thefts in Howell and Ocean Townships

The trail of a car burglary investigation in Monmouth's Ocean Township leads to a shoplifting episode in Howell, and end in a flurry of charges against two Monmouth women.

Sarah Murphy, 29, of Farmingdale, and a 17-year-old girl from Howell, face multiple counts connected to both incidents, according to information from Ocean Township police.

Murphy was placed in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold to await a hearing. The teen was released to parents and has a date in Family Court.

The car burglary was reported February 17 on Route 35 in Ocean Township. Details gathered by detectives led them to Murphy and the teen. Investigators said that they watched the pair pocket items in a store on Route 9 in Howell. Police did not identify the place of business.

Howell Township police charged Murphy with conspiracy to commit shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ocean Township police filed counts of burglary, theft, and possession of stolen property. Her car was seized, pending forfeiture, for its connection to the commission of a crime.

The teen is charged with possession of hypodermic syringes and shoplfiting.

Ocean Township PD Detectives Steven Walker, Jesse Orbach, Gregory Martone and Christopher Brady were involved in the probe, along with Detective Sergeant Patrick Martin and Investigator Jason Lester.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.