SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A resident’s call to 911 helped police capture an alleged burglar.
South Brunswick police received a report of a man on the back deck of a home on Crestview Drive in the Timber Ponds development around 7:22 p.m. on Nov. 1. The caller stated she was cooking in her kitchen when she observed a male on her back deck. She reportedly opened the door and asked the man why he was on her deck. The individual allegedly gave an excuse that made no sense to the resident. The resident locked her back door, set her alarm, and called police, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department.
Several South Brunswick police officers arrived in the neighborhood, according to reports. Around the same time, Officer Craig Cleffi and Sgt. Michael Kuchma reportedly observed a male exit a backyard on Crestview Drive between two houses further down the block from the initial call. The male, who matched the caller’s description, was detained by the officers, according to reports.
The man was identified as a 22-year-old resident of New Brunswick.
A follow up investigation by Cleffi and Detective Brady Shelcusky determined the suspect had allegedly taken a bus from New Brunswick into South Brunswick. He had been walking around the neighborhood when he went into the backyards on Crestview Drive. He was on the rear deck attempting to break into the home when he was confronted by the caller, police said.
The man was charged with burglary and criminal mischief. He was lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center awaiting his first court appearance.
Police Chief Raymond Hayducka credited the caller’s observation and the fast police response with capturing the suspect.
“This case exemplifies the best of our partnership with the community. The phone call and fast response made all the difference. The suspect was located a half a block away from the incident in less than five minutes from the call,” he said.