Sandy Cleanup Worker Charged With Stealing Items from Brick Home

Brick police have charged a Woodlynne, Camden County, man of stealing items from the home of a township resident while he was there working to clean up the mess left behind by Superstorm Sandy.

Police are now searching for Jamar Jenkins, 22, who had been hired by a remediation company in the aftermath of the storm.

Brick Police Sgt. Keith Reinhard said the company had been hired by a township woman whose home was flooded with three feet of water during the storm to complete cleanup and remediation work.

During the cleanup process, the resident discovered that her 14 carat gold and diamond ring was missing, as well as an Apple iPad. The resident then searched the home and discovered other items – mostly jewelry – had also been taken, Reinhard said.

The theft was reported Nov. 21, 2012. In all, the value of the items taken added up to about $7,500.

Detective Robert Shepherd investigated and eventually charged Jenkins, who has not yet been apprehended.

Jenkins' employer, Puro Clean, cooperated with police in the investigation, Reinhard said. Jenkins had recently been hired in the storm's aftermath due to an increased workload.

Jenkins is charged with theft and an arrest warrant has been issued in the amount of $20,000, said Reinhard.

Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist said there have been very few thefts attributed to the vulnerability of people affected by Sandy, but the department is "committed to preventing those crimes through every reasonable means and will relentlessly pursue those who victimize anyone affected by the storm."

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jenkins is being asked to contact the Brick Township Police Department at 732-262-1100 or Shepherd at 732-262-1120.