3 Home Burglaries, 1 Attempt Reported In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Home burglaries, criminal mischief, a search for a possible missing child found to be false and more were reported in the August police blotter.

During the above timeframe, Bernards Township Police Department officers responded to 27 motor vehicle crashes. There were zero injuries reported and 12 motor vehicle summonses issued.

On Aug. 1: Patrol officers responded to a residence on Alexandria Way for a report of harassment. The complainant reported they are being harassed by an employee of the Spring Ridge Association. The complainant stated the harassment is related to the condition of their property and they are being unjustly targeted. Patrol officers advised the resident of municipal complaint signing procedures.

On Aug. 2: A resident of Cedar Street responded to police headquarters to report a lost EZ Pass transponder. The resident advised they have been receiving unauthorized charges for several hundred dollars on the unit. The resident requested a police report to document the lost transponder to EZ Pass.

On Aug. 6: A resident of Debra Lane responded to police headquarters to report fraud and theft by deception. The resident advised they were scammed by unknown callers claiming they had an active arrest warrant from the United States Government. The victim believing the scam transferred around $200,000 to the suspects via Bitcoin. This matter is currently under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 6: Patrol officers responded to Priscilla’s Pantry on Morristown Road for a theft reported by Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. An employee of the company reported an unknown amount of used cooking oil was stolen from the company’s storage unit during an unspecified timeframe. In addition, the lock and grate on the storage unit was damaged. This matter is currently under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 7: A resident of South Stone Hedge Drive responded to police headquarters to report an attempted motor vehicle burglary and/or theft. The resident reported on the night of Aug. 6 at around 9:15 p.m., an unknown suspect was captured on surveillance video walking up the driveway and trying the locked door handles on a vehicle. The suspect then fled to a waiting vehicle and left the area. This matter is currently under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 8 at around 1:30 p.m.: Patrol officers and detectives responded to Ling Ling Asian Cuisine located in the Riverwalk Shopping Mall for a burglary and theft. Upon arrival, officers and detectives were informed that staff discovered burglary and theft while opening the restaurant early on Aug. 8. A preliminary investigation indicated the burglary most likely occurred overnight and an unknown amount of cash was stolen. This matter is currently under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 10: Patrol officers responded to a residence on Balsam Way for a report of harassment. The complainant advised patrol officers that their drug dealer had harassed and threatened them over payment for a previous transaction. Officers advised the caller of municipal complaint signing procedures and the dangers of using controlled dangerous substances.

On Aug. 11: Patrol officers responded to a residence on S. Alward Avenue for a report of criminal mischief. The caller reported the front passenger window was shattered on their 2015 Hyundai Sonata. No items were reported missing from the vehicle and the matter is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 12 at around 4:45 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to the YMCA on Mt. Airy Road for a verbal dispute. The reporting party advised a black Toyota Avalon almost struck them in the parking lot crosswalk. The reporting party indicated a verbal dispute occurred. The driver was located by patrol and indicated there was no reckless driving. Both parties were advised of municipal court complaint signing procedures.

On Aug. 14: A resident of Dexter Drive South responded to police headquarters to report a stolen handicap placard. The resident believed the placard may have been stolen in Morris County but needed a police report to obtain a new placard.

On Aug. 14 at around 1:01 p.m.: Patrol officers and Liberty Corner Fire Company responded to Monarch Circle for a dumpster fire. Upon arrival, LCFC extinguished the fire and no other adjacent property was damaged.

On Aug. 15 at around 12:55 a.m.: Patrol officers responded to the Martinsville Exxon for a theft of services report. Upon arrival, officers learned that a red motorcycle received around $25 in gas and fled without paying. The motorcycle fled north on Martinsville Rd prior to officers’ arrival. This matter is currently under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 15 at around 1:20 a.m.: Patrol officers, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, Liberty Corner Fire Company, Basking Ridge Fire Company, Millstone Fire Department Drone Unit, Atlantic EMS, and Bernards Township OEM responded to Fellowship Village for a missing 93-year-old man. All agencies conducted a thorough and comprehensive search of Fellowship Village and Fellowship Deaconry buildings and grounds. Around 3:48 a.m., patrol officers located the missing man sleeping in the main office of the Deaconry. The man was treated by Atlantic EMS and taken to a Morristown Medical Center for evaluation.

On Aug. 15 at around 4:43 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to Pleasant Valley Park for a suspicious incident. The caller reported finding a pair of children’s sneakers and jar at the edge of the pond. Patrol officers canvassed the park and PVP pool for any missing children. Out of an abundance of caution, Basking Ridge Fire Department Water Rescue Unit, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Dive Team, and Morris County Sheriff’s Office Water Rescue Unit searched the pond. Fortunately, no one was located in the pond. In addition, patrol officers did not receive any missing persons reports.

On Aug. 16: Patrol officers and detectives responded to a residence on Bernard Drive for an attempted burglary. Upon arrival, officers learned unknown suspects attempted to force entry into the residence through a rear window. The suspects did not gain entry and left the scene and this incident is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 17 at around 2:20 a.m.: Officer Timothy Polizzi saw a 2020 Genesis G70 failing to maintain its lane on Valley Road. Polizzi conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Kain Schultze, 26, of Piscataway. Polizzi saw signs of possible intoxication and administered standard field sobriety tests (SFTs) to Schultze. Schultze was arrested for DWI and taken to police headquarters for processing. Polizzi issued Schultze several motor vehicle summonses and was released pending a municipal court appearance.

On Aug. 17 at around 2:48 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to the Enclaves at Dewy Meadows for a theft report. The victim reported they were going purchase a new iPhone from a seller
on Facebook Marketplace and arranged for the purchase to occur at the Enclaves. The victim met the seller and exchanged money for the phone. Upon opening the iPhone box, the victim realized the phone was fake but the seller had already left. This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 23 at around 10:47 a.m.: Patrol officers and detectives responded to a residence
on Fieldstone Drive for a burglary. Upon arrival officers and detectives learned unknown suspects had forced entry into the residence. Detectives processed the scene for any physical evidence and officers canvassed the area for any additional information. This incident is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 23 at around 3:30 p.m.: Officer Jose Mojica saw a 2008 Ford Escape traveling on Martinsville Road with an equipment violation. OMojica conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Emily Lance, 33, of Belvidere. A routine MVC check of Lance revealed an active ATS warrant out of Keyport Borough Municipal Court. Lance was arrested and eventually released on her own recognize pending a future court date.

On Aug. 25 at around 12:20 p.m.: Patrol officers and Liberty Corner Fire Company responded to a brush fire on Jamestown Road. The fire was extinguished and caused damage to the vinyl siding on the dumpster enclosure. No injuries were reported.

On Aug. 26 at around 9:30 p.m.: Patrol officers and detectives responded to a residence on Franklin Drive for a burglary. Upon arrival officers and detectives learned unknown suspects had
forced entry into the residence. Detectives processed the scene for any physical evidence and officers canvassed the area for any additional information. This incident is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On Aug. 29: Patrol officers responded to the Highlands Village Mall for a criminal mischief report. The caller reported their 2018 Ford van had the rear window shattered. The caller informed patrol officers the vehicle has been parked in the rear lot since June. The caller did not report any property or valuables missing. This matter is being investigated by the Patrol Division.

On Aug. 29 at around 8:40 p.m.: Patrol officers and detectives responded to a residence on Wisteria Way for a burglary alarm activation. Upon arrival officers and detectives discovered unknown suspects had forced entry into the residence and ransacked several rooms. Detectives processed the scene for any physical evidence and officers canvassed the area for any additional information. This incident is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

During August, Bernards Police Police received around seven reports of identity theft and scams with around $219,000 in losses to Bernards Township residents.

The Bernard’s Township Police would like to continue to remind everyone to report suspicious activity observed by calling 908-766-1122. Please keep vehicles locked, without the keys in them and valuables out of sight. Please confirm all suspicious calls/emails/texts/messages requesting monetary payments with law enforcement or banking officials before sending funds.

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