Alleged Hotel Burglar Busted by South Brunswick Police

An Old Bridge resident is facing burglary and drug charges after South Brunswick Police arrested him for allegedly gaining entry to a hotel room by jumping from the balcony of another room.

Christopher Coffman, 20, of Old Bridge, was charged with burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia on Monday afternoon at the Hotel Vicenza on Route 1.

At 3:25 p.m. Monday, Det. Roger Tuohy was riding in an unmarked police car, when he observed Coffman allegedly jump from a second floor hotel balcony to another balcony on the second floor.

According to police, Coffman then ducked out of sight into the room through a sliding glass door. Det. Tuohy was then joined by Officer Ken Herman and Det. Ron Seaman, who pulled off Route 1 and entered the Hotel Vicenza parking lot.

A few minutes later Det. Tuohy located Coffman coming from a hotel room.

The detectives determined that Coffman had entered the room after the sliding glass door on the balcony was left unlocked, police said. Hoffman was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia with crushed oxycodone, according to police.

The hotel guest was unable to determine if anything was missing from their room.  

“Detective Tuohy is a credit to our agency," said Chief Raymond Hayducka. "His quick observations combined with the officers fast actions prevented a hotel guest from being victimized.”

Coffman was charged and released on a summons pending his first court appearance.