By: centraljersey.com
Evan Grossman
Managing Editor
EAST WINDSOR – Township police said they solved a string of eight overnight burglaries that occurred between Dec. 28 and 29 this week when a stolen credit card was presented at the GameStop on Princeton-Hightstown Road.
According to police, Jonathan Runyon, 19, of Covington Drive, was charged Dec. 29 with theft, criminal mischief, forgery, identity theft, fraud, and credit card theft at 12:21 p.m when he attempted to use a credit card that was reported stolen two weeks ago.
According to police, eight overnight car burglaries were reported throughout the Twin Rivers development between Dec. 28 and 29. Police said they received complaints from residents on Henderson Place, Garrison Place, Evanston Drive, Hamilton Place, Harbison Place, and Howsington Place, all claiming cars were entered at similar times during the night and various items, including credit cards, GPS units, and other items were missing.
On Dec. 29, local police said they cracked the case, seemingly hours after the last car was burglarized. Mr. Runyon allegedly attempted to use a stolen credit card at a local video game store, where he was arrested, police said.
In addition, police said an accomplice, Tommy Williams, 23, of Madison Drive, was also charged with burglary, theft, and criminal mischief, with bail set at $25,000.
Police said they responded to GameStop when they got a call that a possible stolen credit card was used in an attempted purchase. The card was declined, but according to police, it was confirmed as one of the items stolen during the wave of overnight auto burglaries.
According to police, Mr. Runyon was identified, and investigation revealed the card in question was also used to purchase a $567 television at Target, located in the same shopping center as GameStop.
According to police, Mr. Runyon sold the television to a third party, Dario Gonzalez, 32, of Cedarville Road, who was charged with receiving stolen property.
Police said they also discovered another stolen card was presented at Target but declined.
Both Mr. Runyon and Mr. Williams were committed to the Mercer County Corrections Center in default of bail.