By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
STOCKTON — Burglars broke in to the Stockton Inn early Saturday morning and attempted to take the entire safe that contained several nights’ proceeds.
The weekend break-in is the latest in a string of both residential and commercial burglaries in riverside communities in recent months.
Over the last month, Solebury Township has had about a half dozen commercial burglaries and four or five residential ones, police Chief Dominick Bellizzie said Tuesday.
The commercial burglaries are taking place between 1:30 and 4: a.m. along the corridor of routes 202 and 179. The burglaries have taken mostly cash, and in some instances, computers. Early on, they were carrying away small safes.
”They’re looking for most cash through the registers,” he said.
The residential burglaries are occurring during the day while homeowners are at work in the area of Street and Honey Hollow roads. The intruders have taken jewelry, and in one instance, took a couple of flat screen televisions.
Chief Bellizzie said the burglars are looking for items they can grab and stash in a bag to go.
Solebury police have physical evidence from the crime scenes, but no suspects at this time, the chief said.
New Jersey State Police are investigating the Stockton burglary.
Detective William Harkness said Tuesday he could not release details of the break-in because the investigation is ongoing. He declined to say how much cash was taken.
The inn’s owner, Fred Strackhouse, surprised the burglars in the act.
”I’m glad they didn’t beat him up or worse,” Stockton Mayor Stephen Giocondo said.
Mayor Giocondo said he believed there were five burglars involved.
After Mr. Strackhouse confronted them, “they jumped out the window and ran,” he said.
Mr. Strackhouse could not be reached for comment.
The Stockton Inn holds various events for the community throughout the year, including a $5 Thanksgiving dinner to benefit charities in Trenton.
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office has formed a task force to deal with the string of burglaries that occurred this year in riverside communities, according to Lambertville Police Director Bruce Cocuzza.
Mr. Cocuzza said it’s “hard to say” if Saturday’s burglary at the inn is related.
”Obviously, it’s similar to what happened here and in Solebury and New Hope,” Mr. Cocuzza said. “Are these the same cast of characters? That’s a good possibility.”
The rash of burglaries in Lambertville has slowed, and police are still pursuing leads.
”We haven’t exhausted them, but we’re not close to an arrest,” Mr. Cocuzza said.
In Lambertville this summer, intruders took the safe from Bell’s Tavern, which held about $37,000. Burglars also took more than $1,000 from Hamilton’s Grill Room.
