Five charged with vandalism

More than 40 Monmouth Junction residents’ cars were vandalized during the spree, which allegedly started after a dispute over a girl.

By: Brian Shappell
   East Brunswick police officers have apprehended five youths in connection with an August vandalism spree that spanned more than four municipalities, including South Brunswick.
   Police arrested Matthew Hiblim, 18, of East Brunswick and four other juveniles, three from East Brunswick and one from Leonardo, and charged them with up to 81 counts of criminal mischief for incidents between Aug. 20-24.
   During the time period, widespread car vandalism was reported in the two townships, 40 in South Brunswick alone, as well as Spotswood and East Windsor, said Sgt. Russell MacArthur of the East Brunswick department.
   "It is believed that there’s a relationship between the incidents," Sgt. MacArthur said.
   The incidents allegedly started because of a dispute over a girl, Sgt. MacArthur said. He also said the vandals in question hit the car belonging to the girl’s boyfriend.
   "They vandalized the car of the girl’s boyfriend and apparently, they thought it was fun and figured they’d do it a few more times," Sgt. MacArthur.
   Only Mr. Heiblim has been charged as an adult. He could, if convicted, face a short jail term, according to police.
   Police were led to the suspect after detectives found baseball bats discarded in a dumpster with one of the juvenile’s names on it and because of an anonymous tip the department received.
   More than 40 Monmouth Junction residents have had their cars vandalized during the spree.
   The tires of 25 vehicles parked in the Monmouth Walk development were slashed between Aug. 20 and Aug. 21.
   In addition, the windows of 15 cars parked in Monmouth Walk, Hillside Avenue and Quincy Circle were smashed between midnight and 2 a.m. Aug. 24, according to South Brunswick Police Public Information Officer Jim Ryan.
   Police from South Brunswick and East Brunswick said immediately they believed the incidents were linked.