02/12/2023

A stolen motor vehicle from an outside jurisdiction was recovered, unoccupied, in the area of Lexington Rd. Patrol conducted a canvass and it was found that a male and female were observed exiting the stolen vehicle. The vehicle was towed at the request of the outside jurisdiction for investigative follow-up.

A South Brunswick, NJ resident was the victim of a road rage incident in the area of South Middlebush Rd. and RT. 27. The male suspect allegedly threw a bottle at the victim causing injury after a dispute about a change of lane violation.

Patrol responded to a laundromat fire at a business located on Franklin Blvd. Patrol utilized their fire extinguishers to put out a dryer fire. Local FD responded and made the scene safe by dousing the contents of the dryer in water, shutting of the natural gas and electric to the dryer, and using fans to remove the smoke from the business. No one was injured.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a package theft in the area of Shepherd St. on 02/06/23. An unknown suspect(s) stole the delivered package which contained sneakers valued at $150.00.

02/13/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary by an unknown suspect(s) in the area of Balboa Ln. The suspect gained entry to the victim’s residence via a rear slider and stole clothing valued at $3,400.00. The exact date and time of the burglary was unknown.

02/14/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft during the early morning hours in the area of Hillcrest Ave. Three suspects were observed on camera fleeing the area in a white hatchback. The auto part was valued at $300.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft during the overnight hours in the area of Dahlia Rd. The suspect(s) is unknown. The auto part and damage were valued at $1,500.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft during the overnight hours in the area of Highland Ave. The suspect(s) is unknown. The auto part and damage were valued at $1,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft during the early morning hours in the area of Winthrop Rd. The victim heard the sound of a power tool at approximately 0400hrs and observed a white vehicle flee the area. The auto part and damage were valued at $1,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft during the overnight hours in the area of Marcy St. The suspect(s) is unknown. The auto part was valued at $800.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft in the area of Atlantic Rd. during the overnight hours. The suspect vehicle is believed to be a white sedan. The auto part was valued at $1,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft in the area Austin Ave. during the overnight hours. The victim heard power tools at approximately 0430hrs and observed a white sedan flee the area. The victim valued the auto part at $6,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft during the overnight hours in the area of Girard Ave. The suspect(s) is unknown. The auto part was valued at $926.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a package theft in the area of Kossuth St. during the afternoon hours. The suspect(s) and value of the contents is unknown.

Nassir Black, 26, of Edison, NJ was arrested for open warrants during a theft investigation at a local hotel. Black was processed and released on his own recognizance. “NOTE: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft in the area of Thomas Rd. during the overnight hours. The suspect(s) is unknown. The auto part was valued at $170.00.

A business located on RT. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting during the evening hours. A black male suspect attempted to walk out of the store without paying for a bag full of items. An employee confronted the suspect at the door, and he left the contents behind and fled the area.

A Somerville, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft in the area of Somerset St. during the evening hours. The victim’s vehicle was parked outside of a convenience store and a Hispanic male was observed entering the vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered in an outside jurisdiction.

A Somerset, NJ resident reported a suspicious person on his property in the area of Cedar Grove Ln. during the evening hours. A black male was lingering on the victim’s property after being asked to leave. It is unknown what his intentions were. Patrol canvassed the area for the suspect with negative results.

02/15/2023

A Lakewood, CO resident was the victim of a burglary to auto at a local hotel during the overnight hours. The victim discovered his vehicle ransacked. A head lamp valued at $50.00 was stolen and the gauge cluster on the dashboard was damaged. The damage was estimated to be $2,000.00. The suspect(s) is unknown.

A Swansea, MA resident was the victim of a stolen motor vehicle from a local hotel during the overnight hours. The vehicle was valued at $40,000.00. The suspect(s) is unknown.

Justin Browne, 43, of Somerset, NJ was issued a summons for disorderly conduct after causing a disturbance at a business located on Easton Ave. The defendant was escorted off the property by patrol and issued a trespassing warning. The incident occurred during the morning hours.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a theft while in business parking lot located on RT. 27. A Hispanic male approached the victim and requested change for a $10.00 bill. During the exchange the suspect stole a credit card out of the victim’s wallet and fled.

A Somerset, NJ resident reported six suspicious males in ski masks attempting to gain entry into vehicles parked in the area of Berry St., Yaworsky Way, and Shepherd St. Patrol canvassed the area with negative results.

02/16/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft in the area of S. Dover Ave. during the overnight hours. The vehicle was valued at $2,000.00. The suspect(s) is unknown.

A Somerset, NJ resident was a victim of a catalytic converter theft in the area of Rodney Ave. during the overnight hours. The suspect(s) is unknown. The auto part was valued at $800.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a scam under fraudulent circumstances. The victim was convinced to transfer $1,000.00 via Zelle to the suspects due to her bank account being at risk. The suspects were listed as “Jean Baptiste” and “Lauren Ramirez” on the Zelle app.

A Somerset, NJ business located on RT. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting during the afternoon hours. A black female suspect fled the store without paying for $54.00 worth of diapers.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft during the overnight hours in the area of Shepherd St. The suspect(s) is unknown. The vehicle was valued at $7,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a package theft during the afternoon hours in the area of Park St. The contents were valued at $60.00. A black male was captured on camera stealing the package.

02/17/2023

A business located on RT. 27 was the victim of a burglary during the early morning hours. Patrol responded to a burglar alarm and observed a broken bay door. The unknown suspect(s) gained entry and tampered with a cash box but left it behind. Damage to the door was estimated to be $250.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a catalytic converter theft between 02/13/23 and 02/17/23 in the area of Marcy St. The suspect(s) is unknown. The auto part was valued at $250.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a residential burglary in the area of Hempstead Dr. during the daytime hours. The unknown suspect(s) stole two pairs of sneakers valued at $700.00 total. There were no signs of forced entry.

02/18/2023

A New Brunswick, NJ resident reported an attempted burglary to his vehicle while it was parked on Hillcrest Ave. during the midnight hour. The victim observed a male and female attempt entry into his vehicle. The suspects fled on foot toward Hillcrest School. Patrol canvassed the area with negative results.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary on 02/16/23 in the area of Donald Ave. A Hispanic male was observed on camera forcing entry into a shed on the victim’s property during the afternoon hours. The suspect stole various items valued $1,270.00 and fled the area on a bicycle.

Special Note:

Tips regarding catalytic converter thefts:

• Park your vehicle inside your garage or in secure side yard.
• If you have to park outside, leave on exterior lights or install motion detector lights.
• Check into installing an additional sensor to convertors that set off the vehicle’s alarm when the thieves attempt to steal it.
• Ask your repair shop to tack weld the nut and bolt: it helps prevent most thieves from easily unbolting the assembly.
• Paint and/or engrave your converter with your VIN #. Marked converters make them less valuable to thieves.
• Residents are advised to call 911 if they see someone underneath a parked vehicle, especially late at night or other times when there are little to no other people around.