Resident Hears Burglars Force Way Into Home, Calls Police In Bernards Township

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A home invasion with a resident inside at the time was among the incidents reported in the November Bernards Township Police Blotter.

On Nov. 27, a Patriot Hill Drive resident called police after they heard several people force their way into their home through a first-floor window, said police.

When police arrived, they were met with the caller who said her new BMW SUV was missing from her driveway.

Police searched the house and surrounding neighborhoods for the vehicle and the suspects yielding negative results.

This incident is currently being investigated by the detective bureau. If anyone has any information or witnessed any suspicious activity, contact the police department.

Other Bernards Township Police Blotter items:

During the month of November, Bernards Township Police Officers responded to 37 motor vehicle crashes. There were four injuries reported, and twelve motor vehicle summonses were issued.

On Nov. 2: Police responded to a residence on Watchung Drive for a report of fraud. Police
met with the resident who informed officers that they had mailed a check to a medical supply
company for services. The reporting party stated that the check was cashed for a much larger
amount than they had written the check for. This case is under investigation by the Detective
Bureau.

On Nov. 5: Police went to a home on South Maple Ave for a report of property damage. The caller reported to police that their home's mailbox had been vandalized. If anyone has any information or witnessed any suspicious activity, contact the police department.

On Nov. 7: A resident of Spencer Road responded to police headquarters to report that they were victims of a cyber scam. The victim stated they received a pop-up on their computer advising them they had an outstanding balance from Microsoft. The victim provided a Microsoft impersonator remote access to their computer. The impersonator instructed the victim to withdraw cash and insert it into a bitcoin ATM. After the victim inserted a large sum of money into the machine, they realized they were being scammed. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Nov. 12: Aida Fortis of Bernardsville turned herself into police headquarters for an outstanding warrant for her arrest. Det. Moore subsequently placed her under arrest for the warrant. Aida was taken to Bernards Municipal Court where she was sentenced by Honorable Judge Howes and taken back to her home.

On Nov. 13: Officer Hogan saw a stolen vehicle on Mt Airy Road near the intersection of Lyons Road. After Hogan confirmed that the motor vehicle had been stolen, Hogan tried to conduct a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle. The vehicle did not stop, and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle traveled at a high rate of speed onto Martinsville Road then onto Interstate 78 East at a high rate of speed. While on I-78 the pursuit was terminated, this case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Nov. 13: Police went to a home on Tuxford Terrace for a report of an exterior home generator fire. Police and Liberty Corner Fire promptly responded and extinguished the fire.

On Nov. 13: Police went to the Lukoil on a report of a theft. The caller stated that two men, one white man wearing an orange hat, black hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and white sneakers, and one a black man wearing a black hat, brown hooded sweatshirt with "GAP" across the chest, and a picture of Minnie mouse on it, grey sweatpants with white flowers on them, and black Jordan sneakers with orange trim exited their vehicle. After entering the convenience store attached to the gas station the caller stated that the black man stole a credit card off the cash register counter and both men fled the scene. If anyone has any information or witnessed any suspicious activity, contact the police department.

On Nov. 15: Patrol went to the Spring Ridge Clubhouse on Spring Valley Boulevard for the report of criminal mischief. Patrol spoke with the reporting party who explained Spring Ridge Staff recently installed an electronic door keypad at the tennis court gate. Since the installment of the lock, Spring Ridge maintenance staff had to repair it twice this week after finding it damaged.

On Nov. 20: Patrol went to a home on Hemlock Place for a person reporting threats. Patrol responded to the scene and the reporting party was concerned because his neighbor left a note on his front door complaining to him about how his family parks their multiple cars in the complex making it inconvenient for other residents to park.

On Nov. 24: Patrol went to a home on Princeton Court for a report of theft, patrol met with the victim who stated their garden arches were stolen. The victim stated they had black metal garden arches and rose pillars stolen from their garden. This incident is being investigated by the detective bureau.

On Nov. 30: Patrol went to the Martinsville Rd Exxon for a burglary. The reporting party
stated that they work as a gas station attendant and when they went inside the attached 7/11
convenience store and returned to the gas station attendant booth, the cash till was open and
cash was missing. This incident is being investigated by the detective bureau.

"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," said police.

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