Point Pleasant man accused of stealing plane, then crashing it near Jersey shore

CORBIN CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A New Jersey man accused of stealing a plane and later crashing it near the Jersey shore is now facing a slew of charges, according to state police.

Police say Robert Wagner, 42, of Point Pleasant, is being charged with criminal attempt, criminal mischief, burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, obstruction, and hindering.

Troopers responded to Main Street in Corbin City, Atlantic County, around 8:55 a.m. Wednesday for reports of a suspicious man walking out of the woods.

The suspect advised responding troopers that he had crashed his plane in the grass field in the area.

Police say the man refused to provide his name so he was arrested for obstruction.

Investigators later learned that Wagner was recently arrested in Pemberton and he was wanted for stealing a Quad City Ultralight Challenger 2 plane from a Pemberton Hangar.

According to court documents obtained by Action News, Wagner allegedly entered the airport through a side door, removed the plane from the hangar and proceeded to fly the plane to Cape May County.

Before he stole the plane, authorities say he removed the Emergency Locator Transmitter, rendering the device inoperable.

New Jersey State Police confirmed the stolen plane matched the stolen aircraft in Corbin City.

Court documents alleged that Wagner admitted to taking the plane from his friend without asking. He also allegedly confessed to two burglaries in Corbin City after crashing the plane.

"Wager further advised that he entered a building to clean his clothes. He further advised that he jumped a fence, entered a shed, and stole tools and the brown overalls and fell asleep," the criminal complaint states.

According to the FAA Registry, the fixed-wing single-engine plane is owned by a man in Monmouth County.

It's unclear how or if Wagner actually knew the owner.

Wagner is currently being held in Atlantic County.

Pemberton police referred all questions to the FBI's Newark office.