In the quiet suburbs of Holmdel, New Jersey, a string of car break-ins shattered the peace one early morning. Residents awoke to find their vehicles had been targeted, and security cameras captured a woman attempting to gain entry into multiple cars. The brazen nature of the crimes sent shockwaves through the community, prompting a swift response from the local police.
A woman in a white jacket and black pants walks on a sidewalk in front of a house. Her face is blurred.
Responding to the numerous reports, officers arrived at the scene and began piecing together the events. It didn’t take long for them to identify a suspect – a woman matching the description provided by witnesses and captured on video footage.
Their investigation led them to a nearby residence, where they encountered a woman who claimed to be a friend of the suspect. The homeowner, visibly shaken, told officers that she had heard noises in her basement and believed someone might be inside.
A police officer searches the basement of a house. The basement is cluttered and dimly lit.
While searching the basement, officers noticed a jacket that seemed familiar. It matched the one worn by the woman in the security footage. The homeowner confirmed that the jacket belonged to her friend, who was visiting that day. As the officers questioned the homeowner further, it became apparent that her story was riddled with inconsistencies.
The homeowner’s friend, identified as 40-year-old Shotty Korum, was eventually brought out of the house. Confronting Shotty, the officers noticed that she was wearing the same clothes as the suspect in the videos. When confronted with the evidence, Shotty denied any involvement in the car break-ins.
A woman in handcuffs sits in the back of a police car.
Despite her claims of innocence, the overwhelming evidence, including the matching jacket and her presence at the scene, led to Shotty’s arrest. As she was being placed in the back of the patrol car, Shotty made an unexpected request for a maxi pad, claiming she needed one. The officers obliged, but their suspicions were raised further by her odd behavior.
Back at the police station, Shotty’s attempts to explain away the evidence grew increasingly outlandish. She claimed to have accidentally entered the wrong car, thinking it belonged to a friend. However, this excuse crumbled under the weight of multiple witnesses and video footage showing her targeting several vehicles.
A woman sits in a chair in a police station. She is talking to a police officer. Her face is blurred.
As the questioning continued, Shotty’s story continued to unravel, revealing a web of lies and inconsistencies. She claimed to have been “meeting a friend,” but couldn’t provide a consistent account of her whereabouts or actions. She even attempted to convince the officers that she had attended “Car College,” implying she had expert knowledge of vehicles, but this only served to undermine her credibility further.
The situation took another turn when Shotty was escorted to the bathroom. In an attempt to dispose of evidence, she was caught trying to discard a small bag containing an unknown substance. Despite her efforts to resist, officers were able to retrieve the bag.
A police officer stands in front of a woman who is sitting on the floor. The woman is wearing a white jacket and black pants.
Following her arrest, it came to light that this was not Shotty’s first encounter with law enforcement. She had a history of run-ins with the law, including a recent arrest for domestic violence just the previous week.
Ultimately, Shotty Korum was booked into the Monmouth County Jail on multiple charges, including burglary, criminal attempt, and drug possession. Despite her initial attempts to deny responsibility, she later pleaded guilty to one count of burglary. All other charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal.
The judge sentenced Shotty to two years of probation, a lenient sentence considering the circumstances. However, the incident left a lasting impact on the Holmdel community, a stark reminder that even in quiet neighborhoods, crime can strike when least expected.
