By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
A rash of burglaries in Princeton and surrounding municipalities have police in several jurisdictions concerned and homeowners worried. However, an arrest has been made in South Brunswick that might provide a break in the cases.
One key trend in all the break-ins in all the towns is that the burglar or burglars entered through unlocked doors or windows on the first floor and took laptops, other electronics and cash.
In the last month, there have been eight burglaries or burglary attempts in Princeton Borough. This is in addition to 11 burglaries and two attempted burglaries since March.
The most recent was on May 29, when someone cut a hole in a window screen and took cash from a table in a house on Rollingmead Street.
Sometime during the night of May 24 to May 25, there were several burglaries between 11:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. in the eastern portion of the borough along the Route 27 area.
On Sergeant Street, someone entered the residence through an unlocked rear door and stole a laptop computer and camera valued at $3,600. On Nassau Street someone entered a residence through a basement window. A laptop computer and digital camera valued at $1,500 were stolen. On South Harrision Street, someone entered the residence and stole a wallet and its contents.
An attempted burglary on Queenston Place overnight on May 24 was derailed by a barking dog. There was another attempt on Nassau Street where a window screen was removed in an apparent attempt to enter the residence.
The township has seen its share of burglaries, the most recent occurring over the Memorial Day weekend in areas of town close to the eastern section of the borough, according to township police.
During the weekend of May 24 to the 26, burglars cut away a screen door of a pool house on Princeton Kingston Road and possibly used the pool. The homeowners do not think anything was taken.
On May 18 a home on Nassau Street in the borough was hit where burglars entered an unoccupied residence and stole an Apple iPad as well as the homeowner’s vehicle between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Police are also investigating a burglary on May 1 at the Princeton Jewish Center on Nassau Street. Between 11 p.m. on May 1 and 6:30 a.m. on May 2, someone entered the Jewish Community Center and stole various items from offices, including cash.
”It’s clearly a serious concern to the eastern end of town that there has been a series of burglaries,” said Councilwoman Heather Howard, who lives in the area.
Ms. Howard organized a community meeting about a month ago where about 70 neighbors attended to hear where the investigation was and tips to protect themselves.
Police are still working on their theories for the motive.
”We have some theories, but we are not real sure,” said Capt. Nicholas Sutter of the Princeton Borough Police Department. “Burglars are often people of habit, for whatever reason this person or these people are focusing on that one section.”
The police have formed a multi-jurisdictional task force to look into the matter.
”That means more manpower and strengthens the investigation as they partner up,” said Ms. Howard.
South Brunswick has also had a rash of break-ins.
”We definitely believe the cases are related,” said Det. Sgt. James Ryan of the South Brunswick police.
Capt. Sutter said they had drawn some patterns in the sprees, but declined to give details.
”Our four burglaries in the month of April we believe are connected to Princeton Borough’s burglaries,” said Sgt. Ryan. “Princeton Borough had burglaries in March, we had some in April and (the suspects) returned to them in May.”
There was another rash of burglaries in the borough in late March where five homes were broken into during evening and night hours.
The township had a series of burglaries in its eastern section in January.
One simple thing all the departments stressed was for the homeowners to lock their doors, windows and cars.
All three police departments will do free home security audits for homeowners and check on homes when residents are on vacation.
Residents are asked to report any suspicious persons or activity to police immediately via 911.
”So paramount to these investigations is reporting suspicious noises, reporting suspicious people, the dog barking in the house when the dog normally doesn’t bark,” said Capt. Sutter. “Call, don’t feel stupid, report it. We need the help of the public here. We feel we are making progress and in these type of investigations it’s a partnership between the police and the community.”

