REGION: Police arrest shed burglary suspects

BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Police have arrested and charged two Trenton men in the burglary and theft of all-terrrain vehicles from at Hogback Road residence on Sept. 19.
A 15-year-old was also arrested and warrants have been issued for a third Trenton man who police said was also involved in the thefts.
Police believe that the suspects were also involved in prior shed burglaries that have occurred in Bordentown Township since July in which ATVs, dirt bikes, flatbed trailers, tools and landscaping equipment have been stolen.On Sept. 19, police said a caller reported suspicious activity at the Hogback Road residence and police were dispatched at 6:16 a.m. A red Chevrolet van was parked in the rear of the homeowner’s property, police said, and as the officers arrived they received more calls that men were seen running from the area through the streets and yards.
Police discovered that the van had been reported stolen earlier that morning from Hamilton Township. Officers found two all-terrain vehicles inside the van. Police said they had been stolen from the yard of another Hogback Road residence.
Police, aided by police dogs and a State Police helicopter, searched the area on foot.
Taken into custody were Luis Cardona, 24, of Genesee Street, Trenton; Montel Gilbert, 18, of Third Street, Trenton; and the 15-year-old juvenile. Police said Jose Cardona, 27, of Genesee Street, Trenton, eluded capture and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Police said the group allegedly had burglarized five sheds in the Hogback and Groveville roads area that morning, attempting to steal ATVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, a stereo received and a trailer. All were recovered by police.
Police said their investigation linked brothers Luis and Jose Cardona and the 15 year old to multiple shed burglaries in the township since July. ATVs, dirt bikes, flatbed trailers, tools and landscaping equipment had been stolen, police said.
A Ford F250 pickup truck was also allegedly stolen previously in Bordentown but has yet to be recovered, police said.
Luis Cardona and Montel Gilbert were charged with numerous counts of burglary, theft, criminal mischief and resisting arrest by flight. Police said Mr. Gilbert was only suspected of being involved in the Sept. 19 burglaries, and was not suspected of being a regular participant in the previous thefts.
Mr. Cardona and Mr. Gilbert were both taken to the Burlington County Jail in default of $60,000 bail each. The 15 year old was charged with the same offenses and was released to the custody of a parent.
Warrants were issued for Jose Cardona for the same offenses and bail was set at $100,000.
Police ask that anyone with information of his whereabouts contact township detectives at (609) 298-4300 ext. 2129. All tips will be kept confidential, police said.
Lt. Brian Pesce of the township Police Department thanked the residents of the Hogback, Groveville and Highbridge roads area for their vigilance.
"We asked the residents to be more alert and report all suspicious activity and they did exactly what we requested," Lt. Pesce said. "The report we received on the morning of Sept. 19 regarding the suspicious van and then the numerous calls we fielded from residents who observed the suspects fleeing from the area were instrumental in their apprehension.
"We can’t thank the residents enough and consider this a textbook example of community policing at its finest."
The State Police, the State Police Aviation Unit, Bordentown City and Hamilton Township police departments assisted township police during the search for suspects on Sept. 19.