Man charged in Jan. 20 Millstone burglary may have been involved in several December burglaries in the Indian Path neighborhood.
By: Lauren Burgoon
MILLSTONE Police are investigating whether a man charged in a Jan. 20 Millstone burglary is linked to the December burglaries that plagued the town’s Indian Path neighborhood.
The arrest comes at the same time questions over how the state police can have more visibility in Millstone prompted the town’s state assemblyman to get involved in the discussions.
State police charged Keith Barney, 29, of Freehold with burglary after he was discovered in a Horseshoe Drive home on Jan. 20 at 12:09 p.m. State police said the homeowner startled Mr. Barney, who fled from the house on foot into nearby woods. The resident called police with a description of Mr. Barney and within minutes troopers, helicopters and search dogs were in the area.
Troopers found Mr. Barney in front of a deli on Sweetmans Lane, police said. He matched the description given by the homeowner and was taken into custody. Mr. Barney was charged with burglary, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property and was sent to the county jail. Police said it was unclear what, if anything, was taken from the Horseshoe Drive home.
Detective Sgt. Francis McNulty said that police are looking into whether Mr. Barney is connected to several December burglaries in the Indian Path neighborhood but that state police have made no determination yet.
As this arrest was happening, Committeewoman Nancy Grbelja and Assemblyman Michael Panter, D-12th, were on their way to the state police’s Hamilton substation to discuss the police situation in Millstone with station commanders.
The town is patrolled by the state police, who are based about 15 miles away, and questions have come up recently about whether Millstone could get a police substation. An independent police force could cost $21 million, which some town officials say is too expensive for Millstone.
"It went very, very well," Ms. Grbelja said of the meeting. "We would like to find some place in town where we are able to accommodate the state police so they not only have a place to write their reports but they will be able to bring in technology that they need to function as an independent satellite station."
Ms. Grbelja plans to look into possible sites in the coming weeks with the Township Committee. She said that state police are amenable to creating the set up as long as it doesn’t interfere with overall police operations or the town’s business.
Mr. Panter agreed that the meeting was productive and that residents’ concerns about police patrols will be addressed.
"The town is so large, it’s hard to patrol sometimes. But the state police do an excellent job," he said.
Mr. Panter’s responsibility is to look at what he can do from a legislative side, he said. The governor already approved funding for additional troops, but Mr. Panter noted that police patrol cars need replacement.
"The problem is that the new technology they need is more expensive now so that means less cars if they don’t have more money," he said.
The meeting also featured talks about creating a holding area in Millstone for suspects brought to Municipal Court. There isn’t one now.
The latest round of talks came as Lt. Devlin reminded residents about 911 protocol. She came to the Jan. 19 Township Committee meeting to remind people in an emergency to clearly tell operators that the emergency is in the Monmouth County Millstone (there is also one in Somerset County) and to always use the town’s name, not the house’s mailing address.
Lt. Devlin also dispelled some rumors about a December burglary in progress where state police didn’t show up for almost an hour and the suspect fled, Mayor Elias Abilheira said. He said that the police’s information did not indicate a burglary in progress, which meant that the call was a lower priority than other emergencies in the area.
"Millstone has one of the lowest crime rates in Monmouth County but people have to know how to make a 911 call to get the proper response," he said.
Ms. Grbelja and Lt. Devlin might do a joint public service announcement on the proper procedure, the mayor added.
Mayor Abilheira said Lt. Devlin also recommended that homeowners make sure alarm companies have the proper location, not just mailing addresses, on file.

