Police make arrest in second incident at Princeton Diamond Exchange.
By: Jill Matthews
MONTGOMERY In the span of about one month, the Princeton Diamond Exchange in the Princeton North Shopping Center was burglarized twice.
The store was burglarized in the early morning hours of April 18 and again around 4:30 a.m. on May 22.
The May 22 burglary resulted in two arrests by the Montgomery police after a witness reported seeing a red compact vehicle near the store, which then exited on Route 206, said Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest.
The witness, who was delivering goods to a nearby business, heard sounds of glass breaking and provided a description of the vehicle to police, Mr. Forrest said. When police arrived, they found the window to the left of the door was broken, he said.
An officer traveling south on Route 206 observed the vehicle in question traveling in the opposite direction, Mr. Forrest said. The officer turned around near Sycamore Lane and stopped the suspects near the intersection of Orchard Road.
"Individuals responsible were stopped and arrested shortly after the crime was perpetrated and appropriately charged," said Mr. Forrest.
Gregory Lockhardt, 43, and Michelle Graham, 34, both of North Brunswick were charged with burglary and will face a grand jury, said Mr. Forrest.
Mr. Forrest said the jewelry store reported $5,000 in valuables missing. The missing items were not recovered as of Thursday, Mr. Forrest said.
Mr. Forrest said evidence from the witness and a videotape from inside the store led to the arrest of Mr. Lockhardt and Ms. Graham.
The first burglary occurred at 1:35 a.m. April 18 when police received an alarm, said Lt. Greg Harkins. Upon arriving at the scene, police found the front window was smashed in, as were glass displays inside the store, he said.
It was not clear how much was taken, Lt. Harkins said.
"We are still working on that case and do not have any leads to speak of," said Lt. Harkins.
Hector Olaya, who owns the store with his brother, Orlando, said it did not appear the two burglaries were related.
Mr. Olaya said he and his brother have owned the store since July and may add bars to the windows something they never intended on doing because of the recent burglaries.
"One of the reasons we came out here is because we thought it would be a little bit safer," said Mr. Olaya.