EDISON — Two township residents are facing charges in connection with a recent string of 11 home burglaries spanning three towns.
Shawn Breen and Kelly Murolo, both 34, were charged Feb. 24 with seven burglaries in Edison, two in Woodbridge and two in Metuchen after an investigation that began in mid-January, according to police.
Authorities said four additional burglary charges are pending as the investigation continues in the three municipalities.
Detectives from Edison, Metuchen and Woodbridge drew similarities from the spate of burglaries and collaborated to pinpoint suspects, according to Edison police Detective Lt. Anthony Marcantuono.
The results of the joint investigation led to an undercover task force coordinated by the Edison Police Department’s Special Operations Group.
Detectives from the three towns were conducting surveillance on the suspects in the southern portion of Edison on Feb. 24. Police located the suspects at a Florence Street residence, and Edison Detective Steve Todd saw Breen walk from the rear yard of the home to enter a black Hyundai driven by Murolo, according to police. The suspects then left the area.
The detective found a rear window open at the residence, police said.
Moments later, task force detectives observed the vehicle on Latonia Street in Edison, and then saw it leaving the area.
Detectives from Edison, Woodbridge and Metuchen followed the suspects until police were able to contact the homeowners, and they confirmed that their homes were burglarized and jewelry was stolen, police said. No one was home at the time for either burglary.
The suspects were eventually stopped by detectives in the Wick Shopping Plaza in Edison. Items that police believed were taken during the burglaries were in plain view, according to police.
Along with the items that were allegedly stolen, police reportedly found 30 decks of heroin in the car.
Police took the suspects into custody and charged them with burglary, attempted burglary, receiving stolen property and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
Woodbridge and Metuchen police charged the two suspects with two burglaries each in their respective towns.
The suspects are being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick. Murolo is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail with no 10 percent option, and Breen is being held in lieu of $125,000 bail with no 10 percent option. Both bail amounts are cumulative from all three municipalities.