More Burglaries Crime Alert

[Guest]

Two residential burglaries and one attempted residential burglary took place on July 13, 2008. The burglaries were believed to have occurred in the late evening. Residents are urged to report suspicious persons or vehicles immediately, keep their doors and windows locked and their lights on.
Cranbury Township
23-A North Main Street
Cranbury , New Jersey 08512

[Cranbury Police]

With the warm weather months upon us, you should consider taking a few basic security precautions.
If you are going on vacation it is recommended that you:
1. Set your burglar alarm.
2. Have someone pick up your newspapers and packages.
3. Have your grass cut.
4. Leave your lights on a timer.
5. Have a key holder check the house.
6. Contact the Cranbury Police Department and have your house put on our empty home list.
7. Photograph and hide your jewelry if you do not have a safety deposit box.
8. Play a talk radio station on your stereo.
Please make sure your assigned key holder has your alarm code. As required by Township Ordinance, all business and residential alarms must be registered with the police department. You may contact the Cranbury Township Police Department at 609-395-0031 for more information. Burglar alarm forms are also on the township web page.
The Cranbury Police Department offers free home security surveys. During the survey, an officer will check your doors, windows and locks. If any improvements are needed, the officer will write them down and present the list to the home owner. Upon request, a video tape of valuables can also be made and given to the home owner. Arrangements for a home security survey can be made by calling Chief Hansen or Captain Kahler at 609-395-0031.
Please report any suspicious persons claiming to be with the gas, water or sewer company that do not display proper identification immediately. Cranbury Township Public Works employees carry identification cards. You can contact your utility providers for information concerning the identification of their employees.
In the most recent scam, one suspect approached the home owner and demanded money for work they said was completed. Meanwhile, a second suspect entered the home and removed cash and jewelry. Please be sure to lock your doors and close your garage if you are going to be away from the house for any amount of time, or if you are going to be in the back yard. Scam artists will usually attempt a theft during the day or early evening. They generally prey on the elderly.

[Guest]

[Guest]

It used to be that if people went on vacation they could notify the police and the police would drive by and look for suspicious activity. Does anyone know if this is still the case? Given it is the summer that would be a great thing to do.

[??]

[Guest]

I heard they were on Station Road? Anyone else know?

[Jersey Dad]

[Guest]

[Guest]

I know there have been some efforts to get the details (ie, locations) of these robberies made public more quickly. Is there a reason that there is reluctance to do so? For example, the 2 (maybe 3) thefts or attempts on Station Rd sometime this past weekend were not well publicized. I understand certain details may be left out to aid investigations, but it would help keep people vigilant if they were more aware that this is a continuing problem. Just my thoughts.

[Guest]

I am not sure there is a reluctance. The Chief discussed putting the police blotter on the town website and all members of the TC agreed it was a good idea as did those in attendance. The Chief also said 4 seasons is interested in a crime watch and the town agreed to support it. What if there were crime watchs established in other sections (i.e. station rd and S. Main, Shadow oaks, N. Main and Plainsboro, Cranbury Green....).

[Guest]

Crime watch is a great idea. Everyone remember to lock your doors, sheds, cars garages. Do not make it easy for these burglars.
Keep an eye out for anything suspicious and call the police.

[Windsor Heights Herald]

Man sentenced for township home invasion
Thursday, August 14, 2008 6:51 PM EDT
By Anthony Coppola, Staff Writer

TRENTON — A Toms River man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a home invasion robbery in East Windsor last year.

Vincent Salvo, 32, threatened a woman with an imitation handgun during the incident, which took place July 17, 2007, according to Casey DeBlasio, spokeswoman for the Mercer County prosecutor’s office.

Mr. Salvo, who pleaded guilty to robbery last week, would be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole and also will be required to pay restitution, Ms. DeBlasio said.

Shawn Brennan, 23, of Toms River, also was charged in the robbery. Mr. Brennan, the former boyfriend of the victim’s adult daughter, is awaiting trial on charges of criminal restraint, burglary, robbery, and theft, according to Ms. DeBlasio.

The men allegedly entered the Plymouth Drive home through an unlocked back door, according to police reports confirmed by Ms. DeBlasio. Mr. Salvo ordered the woman to the floor at gunpoint before tying her up. They then took two laptop computers, a cell phone and jewelry. The victim was not injured.
Mr. Salvo previously served three years in state prison for aggravated assault, eluding police and robbery in a 1998 carjacking incident in Morris County, Ms. DeBlasio confirmed.

http://www.packetonline.com/articles/2008/08/14/windsor_hights_herald/news/doc48a4b0242bfab868835743.txt

[The Times]

Convicted felon is linked to burglaries
Crimes began when he was released from prison
Thursday, August 14, 2008
BY KEVIN SHEA

PRINCETON BOROUGH -- Detectives investigating a series of residential burglaries in the Princetons suspect a convicted felon from Middlesex County who was recently released from state prison is the culprit.

Borough police spokesman Lt. Nicholas Sutter said yesterday that detectives expect to charge Walter Hastings, 46, in the case as soon as their investigation is complete.

Hastings is currently being held at the Middlesex County jail in North Brunswick in lieu of $75,000 bail, the jail said, after being arrested in New Brunswick recently for driving a vehicle stolen from a burglary in Princeton Township.

The burglaries, which have been connected to similar ones in South Brunswick, Cranbury and Piscataway, started in April, the same month Hastings was released from the state prison system. He served about three years after being convicted in Middlesex County on a charge of receiving stolen property.

Sutter declined to be specific on what evidence investigators have in the case, other than the vehicle, saying it was a very active and ongoing investigation.

After police detectives started connecting the break-ins, Princeton township and borough police publicly warned residents in June and July to keep their doors locked. The borough and township have had at least four burglaries each.

The burglaries occurred mainly in the evening, with no forced entry, and residents were home in most cases. The perpetrator would often enter through an unlocked door, police said, and take electronics, jewelry and purses.

The break-ins occurred near major roads, such as Route 27 in the Princeton and South Brunswick areas, and Route 130 in the Cranbury and South Brunswick area.

http://www.nj.com/news/times/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1218686703216730.xml&coll=5

[Guest]

Sounds like our man...