Stafford Township, NJ - On November 16, 2024, a local landscaping company that rents a yard on East Bay Avenue reported that someone had burglarized a shed and trailer and stole thousands of dollars of cordless power tools and equipment.  Security video showed the suspects on the property along with their white Jeep Patriot.  The following day at approximately 9:00 A.M., Stafford Township Police was notified that the suspects had returned to the property.  Upon arrival, 38 year old Matthew Clinton and 34 year old Stephanie M. Johansen, both who are reportedly living out of their vehicle, were placed under arrest.  They were towing a trailer with a stolen license plate from a boat trailer located at a marina in Lacey Township. Investigation led detectives to a location in Little Egg Harbor where some of the stolen items were recovered and returned to the victim. 

Clinton and Johansen were transported to police headquarters to be processed.  Clinton was charged with Burglary 2C:18-2A(1), Theft 2C:20-3A, and Possession of Stolen Property 2C:20-7A on a criminal complaint warrant and was transported to Ocean County Jail pending a court appearance scheduled by the Ocean County Superior Court.  Johansen was charged with Possession of Stolen Property 2C:20-7A on a criminal complaint summons and was released pending a court appearance scheduled by Stafford Township Municipal Court.  Detective Jacob Conner was the investigating detective with the assistance of Patrolman Gerardo Jorge and Patrolman Nicholas Racanelli.

As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.