Bridgewater man charged with 21 counts of burglary
By:Krzysztof Scibiorski
Manville police said an 18-year-old from Bridgewater was charged in connection to a 22-car break-in binge that spread through town Monday night.
Randall Scott Opie Jr. of Bridgewater was charged with 21 counts of burglary and a disorderly persons theft. Each count of burglary is a third-degree crime that carries up to five years in prison.
According to Manville Detective Sgt. Mark Sniscak the police received a call from a resident around 9 p.m. Monday, indicating someone had attempted to break into his parked car.
The witness and intended victim was able to provide a very detailed description of the individual, which made the officers’ task of finding the suspect somewhat easier, Sgt. Sniscak said.
Three officers searched for the man, who according to the police, "realized that something was up and was attempted to hide from the patrol cars."
Officers later found Mr. Opie "attempting to hide in the weeds" around Wyoming Place on the north end of town, the police said.
Police said the witness was able to identified Mr. Opie as the man who tried to break into his car and police placed him under arrest. Police said Mr. Opie confessed to the break-ins and pointed out the cars that he had burglarized.
Mr. Opie’s alleged crime streak seems to have made up in resilience what it lacked in payoff, according to police documents. Sgt. Sniscak indicated that the value of all of the stolen goods did not exceed $200 and that, for the most part, the booty lacked goods of high monetary value. The police list compact discs, a cellphone, and assorted change as the items stolen by Mr. Opie from the cars.
The police said that cars parked on Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth avenues, Wyoming Place and Brooks Boulevard were burglarized during the evening.
Mr. Opie was transported to Somerset County Jail on Monday night and was arraigned on Tuesday afternoon at the state Superior Court in Somerville. Mr. Opie pleaded not guilty and saw bail set at $10,000 with a 10 percent option, by Superior Court Judge Victor Ashrafi.

