Suspected believed to be the "senior burglar"
By Maria Prato-Gaines, Staff Writer
MONROE — A man suspected of stealing more than $180,000 from seniors living in Monroe’s gated communities and who authorities believe is involved in hundreds of burglaries committed in Monmouth, Somerset, Ocean and Middlesex counties, was arrested in Brick Township on Sept. 26.
James Eichele, 61, of Manahawkin, was caught allegedly attempting to break into a home at Greenbriar I, an adult community in Brick Township, said Ocean County Deputy Chief Mike Mohel.
Mr. Eichele has been charged with burglary, theft and a weapons offense in connection with the incidents.
Authorities suspect Mr. Eichele is the “senior burglar,” who targeted gated senior communities, including several in Monroe, and typically stole money and jewelry, Chief Mohel said.
”We had 26 burglaries and attempted burglaries,” said Detective Bob Bennett, spokesman for the Monroe Township Police Department. “(The burglar) victimized nine different communities over the course of three years.”
The Monroe burglaries, thought to have been committed by the senior burglar, began in September 2005, with the last occurring in February 2008, he said. During that time several of Monroe’s senior communities were targeted including Encore, Concordia, Rossmoor, Clearbrook, Pine Run, Forsgate Greens, Greenbriar at Whittingham, Regency and Renaissance, Detective Bennett said.
Along with neighboring county’s departments, Monroe police joined the “Senior Burglary” joint task force in September 2005.
Monroe police said their burglar had been walking onto the communities and would usually gain access to an unoccupied home by breaking a window or through an open door or window, Detective Bennett said.
”We had several officers assigned on this,” Detective Bennett said. “(The burglar) hit communities where there’s been surveillance and just by dumb luck missed them.”
At the time of the arrest, Mr. Eichele had burglary tools in his possession and a search warrant that was executed on the suspect’s home revealed a handgun and a stash of jewelry authorities are still sorting through, Chief Mohel said.
”Items recovered from Eichele’s house after his arrest have linked him to the burglaries in our town, as well as in other towns,” a press release issued by the Monroe Police Department said. “The victims will be contacted by Monroe Detectives as evidence is identified.”
Authorities are holding Mr. Eichele in an Ocean County jail in Toms River in lieu of a $250,000 bail, Chief Mohel said.

