MILLSTONE – Two male juveniles who live in a group home have been arrested in connection with a series of vehicle burglaries in Millstone Township.
Mayor Michael Kuczinski said between 20 and 25 incidents were recently reported.
On July 2, the New Jersey State Police arrested two male juveniles who are suspected of being responsible for at least 22 of those incidents, Trooper Alejandro Goez said.
Goez did not provide the ages of the juveniles. He said an investigation into the vehicle burglaries is ongoing.
Millstone Township does not have a police department. Coverage in the municipality is provided by the state police.
Residents, including several who said they were victims of vehicle burglaries, voiced their concerns during the July 5 meeting of the Township Committee.
The residents asked the members of the governing body if the juveniles who were arrested are residents of a group home in the township.
Committee members confirmed the two juveniles are residents of a group home.
Kuczinski said all of the incidents were described as non-violent and he emphasized there were no reported break-ins of homes. He said the perpetrators allegedly stole items from unlocked vehicles and from vehicles which had open windows.
Kuczinski said if the juveniles are found guilty of committing crimes, they will be removed from the group home and may be sent to a youth correctional facility.
Committeeman Gary Dorfman said there are three group homes in Millstone. He said these homes, which are operated by a third party under authorization from the state, are intended as temporary residences for juveniles who come from difficult environments.
Dorfman said the purpose of the group homes is to help the juveniles move past the difficulties they have experienced.
Deputy Mayor Fiore Masci said township officials were told by representatives of the group home where the two juveniles reside that residents of the home do not have criminal records and may live in the home for eight months.
Committee members emphasized that the group homes are mandated by the state and cannot be removed by Millstone. They asked residents for understanding toward the young people, but acknowledged that the juveniles’ alleged actions were not acceptable.
Questions were raised by residents as to how the juveniles allegedly left their home and committed the burglaries. They asked if the juveniles are supposed to be under 24-hour surveillance.
Committee members said they are working with the operator of the group home to determine why the juveniles were apparently not being supervised.
The discussion may be continued on July 19 when a representative from the state police is scheduled to attend that evening’s meeting of the governing body.