Lakewood Police have arrested the same suspect twice in less than a week in connection with two separate criminal investigations, one involving a residential burglary and the other the theft of a vehicle from a repair shop.

The first arrest stemmed from a July 6 residential burglary, when officers responded after a homeowner confronted a man carrying several of his Milwaukee power tools. The suspect reportedly returned the tools before fleeing on a bicycle while still wearing the victim’s stolen jacket. Following an investigation, officers identified the suspect as 48-year-old Anthony Bivins Jr. of Lakewood. He was charged with burglary and theft of movable property and lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

Just days later, on July 12, officers investigated the theft of a 2018 Nissan Altima that had been left at a local repair shop for transmission repairs. The vehicle was later recovered in Lakewood, and investigators identified Bivins as the suspect through investigative leads. He was arrested and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, a third-degree offense.

“These arrests are a direct result of the outstanding work performed by our patrol officers and investigators,” said Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer. “Their ability to quickly identify suspects and follow through with thorough investigations continues to make our community a safer place.”