Hopewell Township police think local burglary may be one of series

"There’s been a rash of similar burglaries during the past few months in Lawrence, Princeton and Hamilton," Capt. George Meyer said.

By John Tredrea
   A Chicory Lane home in the Brandon Farms development in Hopewell Township was burglarized while the residents, including two children, were home early Wednesday morning, township police Capt. George Meyer said Wednesday afternoon.
   The residents’ car was stolen and was recovered by police a few hours later about a mile away on Brandon Road.
   Capt. Meyer said the burglary and theft, which took place between 1 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. is the latest in what area police believe to be a series of crimes being committed by the same burglar or burglars.
   "There’s been a rash of similar burglaries during the past few months in Lawrence, Princeton and Hamilton," Capt. Meyer said. "This is the first one we’ve had in Hopewell Township, but the MO (method of operation) of all of them is the same. The burglar or burglars check first-floor doors and windows of occupied residences very late at night to see if any are unlocked. If they are, they go in and take whatever small objects of value can be grabbed quickly — purses, camcorders, car keys, for example."
   Capt. Meyer said the Chicory Lane residents learned their home had been hit when they were notified by police early Wednesday morning that their car had been found on Brandon Road, about a mile from where they live. He said the burglar or burglars broke in the home by cutting a screen on an unlocked first-floor window. The car keys, used to steal the residents’ vehicle, and a video camera were stolen from the kitchen. Two adults and two children were home at the time of the burglary. All were asleep.
   "We are urging everyone to lock all the doors and windows of their cars and residences, and to call us if they see anything suspicious," Capt. Meyer said. The township police can be reached at 737-3100.