SOUTH BRUNSWICK – A Monroe man who allegedly fled a home burglary on Jan. 14 was apprehended by South Brunswick Police shortly thereafter.
Police were called at 10:59 a.m. to East Meadow Estates, a new housing development off Beekman Road, according to information provided by the South Brunswick Police Department.
A sales person indicated it appeared someone had gained entry to the model home. While on the second floor of the model home, the sales woman heard a noise on the first floor and heard the garage door go up, according to reports. She secured the home and went to her vehicle to get her cell phone, police said. She opened her car and realized her handbag was reportedly stolen.
As Officer Greg Boldizar was arriving he reportedly observed the 42-year-old suspect on Dickinson Road in the nearby Timber Ponds development. The suspect allegedly began to run behind homes on Dickinson Road upon observing Boldizar, police said. As Boldizar chased the man, other officers joined the foot pursuit as it went behind homes off Village Road. Within 12 minutes officers had the neighborhood surrounded, according to reports. Officer William Beard captured the man in the backyard of a home on Country Woods Drive.
The Monroe man has been charged with burglary, theft and criminal trespass. Detectives believe the suspect has been operating in those neighborhoods for several days.
“After we arrested him we developed information indicating he may have been staying in the model homes for a few days. The people noticed unusual activity, but no one contacted the police. The unusual activity in the model homes matches up with incidents we had been following up on in nearby Timber Ponds development. We believe [the suspect] may be connected to other crimes and are asking for the public’s help,” Detective Sgt. Michael Pellino said in the statement.
If anyone recognizes the man, they should call the South Brunswick Detective Bureau at 732-329-4000, ext. 7496.
Chief Raymond Hayducka credited the work of all the officers involved.
“This was a team effort over several blocks in some bitter cold conditions. All the officers did an excellent job arresting this suspect and putting an end to several ongoing cases,” Hayducka said in the statement.