Two Howell Residents Jailed After Friendship Road Burglary

A pair of Howell residents were arrested and charged with burglary and theft late last week after an off-duty Jackson Township officer called in a possible residential burglary, police said.

Brendan Joyce, 21, of Drum Court, and Crystal Palmeri, 18, of East 2^nd Street, were each arrested and charged with burglary and theft following the break-in at a Friendship Road home, police said in a release.

Joyce, was also charged with criminal mischief. He also had warrants for his arrest pending out of Howell Municipal Court and an active warrant for a parole violation out of Monmouth County, the release said.

Palmeri also was charged with attempted assault on police officer, possession of a syringe, possession of stolen property  and tampering with evidence, the release says.

Both were taken to Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township. Joyce’s cash bail was set at $5,500. Palmeri’s cash bail was set at $11,000.

An unidentified Jackson Police officer was driving on Friendship Road around 11:44 a.m. on Thursday when he noticed two people loitering around a home. The officer called Howell Police.

Howell Patrolmen Jeff Mann and Carl Vella arrived to find Joyce leaving the home with a pillowcase. Mann and Vella knew Joyce and were aware he did not live at the Friendship Road address, the release says.

The pillowcase was filled with jewelry belonging to the homeowner, the release says.

Police checked the house and found a back window had been smashed. Joyce was bleeding from his hands. Inside, drawers in the master bedroom had been rummaged through and an empty jewelry box was on the bed, the release says.

Palmeri was found hiding in some woods behind the house. She ripped up a check as Vella approached her. The check was stolen, the release says, and may be connected to a string of check fraud cases in the past month. Additional charges are expected, the release says.

Palmeri attempted to kick officers as she was led to the police car, the release says.

Police are urging resident to call the Police Department at (732) 938-4111 if you see people loitering around homes.