BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP — Police are searching for a 47-year-old Fords, New Jersey, man who was charged June 28 in connection with a burglary that occurred April 16.
A warrant with bail set at $50,000 was issued for the arrest of the man, Robert Petro. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Burlington Township Police Department at 609-298-4300, ext. 2129.
Police reported back in April that an 81-year-old female resident of Laurel Avenue was approached at about 3 p.m. by a male and female while she was gardening in front of her residence.
According to Lt. Brian Pesce, police have not identified the woman yet. Mr. Petro was charged with burglary, a third-degree offense, and theft, a fourth-degree offense, Lt. Pesce said.
At the time of the incident, police said the man said he was a roofing contractor and he was in the area to inspect possible faulty roof flanges. The victim brought the man to her backyard to look at her roof, police said.
She told police he seemed knowledgeable regarding the roof, even pointing out a lifted flange near the chimney. The man then said he needed to check inside the house for leakage, police said.
She went with him to the second-floor attic and closet area where the chimney was located, police said. She then went downstairs and invited the female inside because it was hot that day, police said.
The female kept the resident occupied in the kitchen while the man removed a black safe from the upstairs closet, police said. It was valued at $200 and contained only personal documents and paperwork, police said.
The man said he did not see any leakage on the second floor, but the flange appeared as though it needed repair and promised to return April 21 to make the necessary repairs free, police said.
The victim then saw the two leave the area in a newer model, mid-grey toned SUV that did not appear to have a front license plate, police said.
She described the man as having an olive complexion, possibly Hispanic, approximately 5-feet 10-inches tall with shaggy black hair and about 35 to 40 years old.
The female was described as having an olive complexion, possibly Hispanic or Italian, approximately 5-feet 6-inches tall with straight, shoulder length, black and grey hair and about 45 to 50 years old, police said. She said the woman spoke broken English, police said.
Police remind residents, as they did at the time of the burglary, that these transient criminals typically target elderly residents in warm weather and pose as utility workers, tree trimmers, chimney repairmen, water department employees, etc., to get into houses.
Residents are urged to demand identification from anyone who stops at their home and claims to be on official business. All township employees carry identification cards, which they will readily produce. It’s even better to call the agency they claim to represent and confirm they are legitimate workers assigned to be in the area.
Be especially suspicious of anyone who wants access to the house.
In addition, do not leave purses or wallets out in the open; keep jewelry and small valuables in a safe; use jewelry boxes only for costume jewelry; and keep all doors locked.
Also, if residents leave the house, they should pick up their keys and lock the house.
Any suspicious activity or visits by strangers that make someone uncomfortable should be reported immediately to police.

