New Jersey law enforcement recently arrested seven people in connection with burglaries of cars that were parked on streets in Mendham Borough and Mendham Township.
According to Morris County NJ authorities, the car burglaries were carried out during the late-night hours on at least two nights in early June 2016. The suspects allegedly drove around Mendham NJ in a car and stopped every time they spotted an unlocked vehicle parked on the side of the road.
Mendham New Jersey investigators believe that the suspects stole valuables worth in excess of $800.
After getting several reports of thefts in the area, the Mendham Borough Police Department and the Mendham Township Police Department opened a joint investigation.
Mendham NJ police ultimately arrested a total of seven people:
- 19-year-old male from Irvington, NJ
- 19-year-old male from Hillsborough NJ
- 19-year-old Bound Brook NJ man
- 19-year-old man from Bound Brook, NJ
- 19-year-old man who resides in Somerville, NJ
- 19-year-old Bridgewater NJ man
- 17-year-old juvenile (identity and residence not disclosed)
All of the suspects have been charged with multiple criminal offenses, including burglary, theft of movable property, and possession of stolen property. Additionally, the suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and theft because they allegedly worked together in the planning and carrying out of the vehicle break-ins.
If the suspects are ultimately convicted on the burglary charges, they would be in store for significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, burglary is typically classified as a third degree felony. A conviction for third degree burglary could result in a sentence of 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.
Mendham NJ police has asked that residents of Mendham Borough and Mendham Township take precautions to ensure that their cars are not broken into. For instance, said authorities, anyone who parks their car on the street should keep the vehicle locked at all times. Additionally, vehicle owners may want to consider removing any valuables from their parked motor vehicles.
For further information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “7 Accused of Burglarizing Vehicles in the Mendhams.”
