Lakewood Police have recovered nearly $450,000 in cash and charged a Lakewood man following an investigation into the burglary of a township business.

Police were called to a business on Ocean Avenue around noon on July 26 after the owner reported that about $100,000 had been stolen, according to the Lakewood Police Department. As detectives continued investigating and the business completed a detailed audit, authorities determined that more than $300,000 had actually been taken.

Investigators identified the suspect as William Ordenana-Arauz, 48, of Lakewood, who police said had previously performed work at the business. Detectives also determined that he had traveled to a storage facility in Freehold after leaving the business.

Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, detectives obtained court-authorized search warrants for the suspect’s vehicle and a storage unit in Freehold. During the searches, investigators recovered just under $450,000 in cash, along with the business’s digital video recorder, which police believe was removed during the burglary.

Ordenana-Arauz has been charged with burglary and two counts of theft.

The investigation was conducted by the Lakewood Police Department with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

Police Chief Gregory H. Meyer credited detectives for their work and thanked the Sheriff’s Department, members of Shomrim, and several area businesses for assisting investigators.

“Our detectives put together an outstanding investigation that led to the recovery of a significant amount of stolen cash and key evidence,” Meyer said in a statement. “Their efforts gave this victim the opportunity to recover their property and ensured that the person responsible was held accountable.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Detective Matthew Richardson at the Lakewood Police Department.

Ordenana-Arauz is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.