Violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults, rose slightly in all three towns.
By: Casha Caponegro
Reported crimes in Monroe and Jamesburg increased in 2000, according to the Uniform Crime Report released last week.
Violent crimes, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults, rose slightly in all three towns, with Jamesburg experiencing the most significant increase.
Nonviolent crimes, including burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, domestic violence and bias crime, declined in Jamesburg and Cranbury but increased in Monroe.
The Uniform Crime Report is based on crime statistics submitted to the New Jersey Uniform Crime Reporting System by every state law enforcement agency.
In Jamesburg, 21 violent crimes were reported in 2000, including one murder, one robbery and 19 aggravated assaults, but no reports of rape. In 1999 nine violent crimes were reported, including two rapes and seven aggravated assaults.
The murder involved the death of Jamesburg resident James P. Matikonis, who was shot twice and left in the trunk of his car parked in St. Peter’s RC Church in New Brunswick.
A decrease in the amount of larceny reports in Jamesburg, from 41 in 1999 to 29 in 2000, led to a decline in the number of nonviolent crimes in the borough. Burglary and bias crime increased slightly, while reports of domestic violence increased significantly, from 22 in 1999 to 79 in 2000.
In Monroe, reports of violent crime increased from 17 in 1999 16 aggravated assaults and one rape to 23 in 2000. The number of reported aggravated assaults increased to 21.
No murders or rapes were reported; however, two robberies were reported during 2000.
Reports of nonviolent crimes in Monroe increased from 199 reports in 1999 to 226 reports in 2000. The number of reported larcenies increased by 28 and domestic violence increased by 13. Burglary reports increased slightly, while reports of motor vehicle theft, arson and bias crime declined.
Four violent crimes were reported in Cranbury during 2000 two robberies and two aggravated assaults. No incidents were reported in 1999.
"It’s important to note that the New Jersey State Police Turnpike statistics generally fall into the Cranbury police statistics," said Cranbury Police Chief Harry Kleinkauf. "There is no breakdown between us and them."
Reports of nonviolent crime declined in Cranbury from 68 in 1999 to 55 in 2000. The largest decrease was in the amount of reported larceny incidents, from 57 in 1999 to 40 in 2000. Motor-vehicle theft experienced a slight increase, from five to 10, while reports of burglary, arson, domestic violence and bias crime declined slightly.
Chief Kleinkauf said the recent increase in motor vehicle thefts may be due to a growing warehouse district on the east side of Route 130.
"With an influx of new warehouses there are more cars and trucks in the area," said Chief Kleinkauf. "Thus, there is more of an opportunity to steal. A growth within the community often creates an increase in these types of crimes."
Crime increased 3 percent in Jamesburg, from 62 indexed crimes in 1999 to 64 crimes in 2000, or 10.6 crimes per 1,000 people.
Crime in Monroe increased 15.2 percent, from 216 indexed crimes in 1999 to 249 in 2000, or 8.9 crimes per 1,000 people.
In Middlesex County, the crime rate dropped 0.3 percent, with violent crime increasing 0.6 percent, and nonviolent crime dropping 0.4 percent. The crime rate was 26.5 crimes per 1,000 people.
In Cranbury, crime decreased 13.2 percent, from a total of 68 indexed crimes in 1999 to 59 crimes in 2000, or 18.3 crimes per 1,000 people.