SOUTH BRUNSWICK — An hourand a-half-long manhunt resulted in the apprehension of a man on parole from Georgia.
Two different residents reported a man in the rear of their homes peering into their windows last week, according to South Brunswick police.
Officers responded at 8:25 a.m. on Oct. 28 to Crestone Circle after a resident reported seeing a man allegedly ducking behind a tree and looking through the rear sliding glass door. The woman told officers that she saw the man hiding and watching the rear of her home. When the suspect saw her looking at him, she told police he reportedly ran toward Princeton Gate Boulevard.
Several officers arrived and set up a perimeter, officials said. At around 9 a.m. Officer Jesse Blake reportedly observed a man riding on a bicycle on Camelot Court. Blake approached the man, who he said dropped the bike and began to run through the backyards.
Over the next 45 minutes several residents reported seeing the suspect run in the rear of their properties in the Princeton Walk development between Route 1 and Route 27.
At 9:45 a.m. Detective Dennis Yuhasz allegedly located the suspect lying down in the tree line and ordered him to come out. The suspect reportedly ran. Yuhasz and Officer Danny Rodriguez followed in foot pursuit, according to police.
As the men emerged from behind a row of houses, Sergeant Donald Varga was reportedly able to capture the suspect, according to police.
Subsequently, Craig Walker, 24, of Jones Drive, was transported to South Brunswick Police Headquarters. He was allegedly connected to both the Crestone Circle case and a similar case on Canterbury Way on Oct. 27. He was charged with invasion of privacy, trespassing and obstruction of justice. He was processed and lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center on $12,500 bail.
The investigation allegedly determined that Walker had entered at least five backyards in the Princeton Walk community over the past week, according to police.
They also determined he was on parole from Georgia.
Detectives are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information should call Yuhasz at 732-329-4000, ext. 7496.