Two people were jailed over the holiday on charges they tried to steal money from a vending machine at a Route 34 gas station, according to police records.

Staci M. Bennett, 42, of Richfield, Utah, and Phillip A. Scheller, 33, of Forked River, were arrested and charged Monday with breaking into and stealing money from vending machines at the Lukoil gas station on Route 34 at Allenwood Road. The station was closed at the time, according to the arrest warrants.

The manager of the Getty gas station across Route 34 from the Lukoil station called police around 2 a.m. Monday, saying he saw a car back up to two soda vending machines at the Lukoil station and forceably open them, Lt. Walter Pomphrey said.

The Getty and Lukoil stations are owned by the same family, Pomphrey said.

The manager then followed the Nissan Altima the pair sped away in after being confronted by the manager and another Getty employee. The manager, who police did not identify, reported the location of the Nissan until officers stopped the car at westbound Route 138 near the Garden State Parkway northbound entrance ramp, Pomphrey said.

Scheller was charged with burglary, theft, conspiracy to commit burglary, criminal mischief.  He was taken to Monmouth County Jail, Freehold, in lieu of $31,000 bail, according to the arrest warrant. 

Bennett was also charged with burglary, theft, conspiracy to commit burglary and criminal mischief. She was additionally charged with reckless driving. Bennett was taken to Monmouth County Jail, Freehold, in lieu of $37,000 bail.

Pomphrey said more charges against the two are pending a search of the Nissan.

Patrolman Todd Verrecchia was the arresting officer, according to the warrants.