Toms River's governing body banned real estate solicitations in a section of town which borders Lakewood.
TOMS RIVER -- The day after Toms River's governing body adopted an ordinance banning real estate solicitations in a section of town, police charged a man with breaking into a home he was considering buying, authorities said.
Several police officers responded to reports of a man entering a home on Crystal Mile Court through a window around 5 p.m. on Feb. 24, said Ralph Stocco, spokesman for the Toms River Police Department.
As police surrounded the vacant house, they saw a man emerge from the basement and arrested him, Stocco said.
The man, identified as Israel Feldbrand, 36, of Lakewood, said an associate of his owned the house and gave him permission to look at it as a potential property to buy, Stocco said. Feldbrand later told authorities that the associate may work for a real estate company and that the home may be in foreclosure.
Toms River bans real estate solicitation amid Orthodox Jewish boom
Because the officers couldn't verify that Feldbrand had permission to be there, they arrested him and charged him with criminal trespass, Stocco said.
Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher said this incident lends proof to the need for the no-solicitation ordinance the borough council adopted unanimously on Feb. 23, which prohibits real estate agents from engaging in "intense, incessant and intimidating direct solicitations" of real estate in two areas of the North Dover section of town.
A for sale sign is seen across from a don't sell, Toms River strong sign Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, in Toms River. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) "The arrest of Mr. Feldbrand is further proof of the type of conduct taking place in Toms River by unscrupulous individuals and Realtors," Kelaher said. "This type of behavior will not be tolerated and is added justification for the cease and desist ordinance unanimously approved by the Township Council on Tuesday, February 23, 2016."
Kelaher said at the meeting on Tuesday that many Toms River residents have complained about being bombarded by solicitations from real estate agents they believe are working on behalf of Orthodox Jewish clients looking to live in or near Lakewood, which has a booming Orthodox Jewish population.
Crystal Mile Court is blocks from the Lakewood border.
Jackson has been experiencing a similar situation and has taken steps to ban solicitations.
Toms River Council President Brian Kubiel said the arrest is an example of the types of complaints the governing body has received from residents.
"This is the kind of behavior our residents have repeatedly complained about which is the reason the cease and desist ordinance was enacted," Kubiel said. "Residents should remain vigilant about the safety and security of their residences and report any suspicious activity to the police."
Feldbrand was released pending a future court date, Stocco said.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.