Police Charge Two Residents in String of Burglaries

Two township residents were charged earlier this month in a string of burglaries that netted close to $5,000 from South Brunswick homes. The crimes were not connected, but police said both suspects were using profits from the break-ins to purchase narcotics.

“These cases are always difficult to investigate because of the random nature of the crime, but we are committed to following up on all leads," said Chief Raymond Hayducka. "These two arrests reflect good police work with strong community support."

Robert Martin, 20, of South Brunswick, was arrested on Oct. 4 and charged in connection with two residential burglaries. Officers had been searching for Martin after he became a suspect in several local residential burglaries. Police conducted surveillance on Major Road and observed Martin getting into a vehicle and heading north on Route 1 at about 11 a.m., according to police. A team of officers stopped Martin by North Umberland Way and arrested him without incident. 

In the other case, Jessica Detore, 26, of South Brunswick, was charged on Oct. 10, as she was leaving the scene of an attempted residential break in, according to police.

Detore was allegedly trying to gain entry into a Stillwell Road home at 10 a.m. when Officer Robert Jairdullo responded to a call reporting suspicious activity. Detore had allegedly knocked on the homeowner's door several times, and went to the rear of the home to break in after she didn't see a car in the driveway, according to police. When Detore was confronted by the resident, she told the homeowner she was looking for a friend and walked away, according to police. 

A subsequent investigation by Det. Ken Herman linked Detore to additional burglaries in the Brunswick Acres development. She was ultimately charged in connection to three burglaries.

All the burglaries allegedly committed by the two suspects occurred during the daytime hours and involved the theft of electronics, jewelry and cash. Approximately $5,000 dollars worth of money and items were stolen from the homes. Police are continuing to follow additional leads in the investigation and additional arrests are anticipated.

Both suspects were lodged at the Middlesex County Correction Center in North Brunswick.

“Our crime rate remains one of the lowest in the county because of the hard work of the officers and our partnership with the community," Hayducka said. "These cases came together with leads from the community and solid police work.”

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