By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Officers saved a man from hypothermia after he allegedly broke into a liquor store and hid from police in the snow.
Police responded to Viking Buy-Rite Wine and Liquor at 4095 Route 1 around 1:45 a.m. on Feb. 10. Officers observed the front door of the liquor store smashed and numerous items taken, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department (SBPD). Officers searched the business, but the suspect was not inside.
The owner of the store showed officers video of the suspect breaking in, police said. The video showed the suspect stealing liquor, cigarettes, a lighter and lottery tickets. In all, the suspect stole more than $650 worth of merchandise and created $2,000 in damage to the door, according to reports.
A half hour after the alarm, Officer Mike Urstadt was driving around the strip mall and reportedly noticed a man’s head peeking from behind an 8-foot-high snow pile. He approached the man, later identified as George Pesavage Jr., 47, of Flemington. Pesavage reportedly had frostbitten hands and was bleeding from cuts. His clothes were soaking wet from hiding in the snowbank. Allegedly at his feet were two bags containing liquor, cigarettes, a lighter and lottery tickets, according to police.
Officers placed Pesavage under arrest for burglary and criminal mischief. He reportedly had been hiding in the snow for 45 minutes.
He was taken by Kendall Park First Aid Squad to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. He was treated for hypothermia and numerous lacerations from reportedly breaking the glass door. After he was released from the hospital, he was taken to police headquarters and processed. He was lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center pending a bail hearing.
“The man was saved by being arrested. The freezing temperatures had already started to lower his body temperature when officers located him. The officers’ fast response and detailed search resulted in locating the stolen items and saving this man’s life,” Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said.
However, less than two days later, police reportedly found Pesavage again committing a crime.
Around 12:13 a.m. on Feb. 12, patrol units responded to an attempted burglary at Quick Aid Pharmacy, 569 Milltown Rd., North Brunswick. Upon arrival, officers observed visible signs of an attempted forced entry burglary to the rear door, according to information released by the North Brunswick Police Department.
During a search of the area, officers reportedly located a male subject matching the description given by witnesses loitering across the street in the Brunswick Shopping Center.
Evidence was allegedly recovered tying Pesavage to the crime, according to reports.
He was again transported to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center.