Home Burglars Scared Off By Alarms In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Two home burglaries in Bernards Township were prevented after a homeowner's alarm sounds, according to the latest police blotter.

On April 6 at around 8:44 p.m., officers received notification of a burglar activation at a Squire Court home. Officers found evidence of an attempted burglary to a window.

The unknown suspect(s) appeared to be deterred by the burglar alarm and fled the scene. This incident is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On April 25 at 5:04 a.m., officers responded to a home on Addison Drive for a panic alarm activation.

Officers learned from the resident that someone tried to gain entry into the home but were deterred by the alarm and locked door. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

Other Bernards Township Police Department(BTPD) blotter items from April:

During the above timeframe, BTPD officers responded to 28 motor vehicle crashes. There were two injuries reported and 20 motor vehicle summonses were issued.

On April 9 at around 3:45 p.m.: Officers and Liberty Corner Fire Company(LCFC) responded to a

dumpster fire on Jamestown Road. The fire was extinguished by BTPD officers and LCFC members.

On April 20 at around 3 p.m.: Officers responded to the area of Annin Road for a road rage incident. Upon arrival, officers determined a dispute occurred between an adult driver and juvenile driver. The juvenile driver reported the adult driver may have brandished a weapon during the incident. This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On April 11: Officers responded to Arrowood Way, in the Cedars Development, for a report of a
reckless driver. While enroute additional callers reported a single motor vehicle crash on Chestnut
Court. Upon arrival at the crash location, Sgt. Chris Baxter located Mehul Patel, of Scranton, PA, driving a 2021 Toyota Rav 4. Sgt. Baxter saw damage consistent with a motor vehicle crash
including a street sign pole lodged in the rear bumper of the vehicle. Patel was administered standard field sobriety tests and subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated. Patel was processed at BTPD headquarters, issued motor vehicle summonses and released pending a municipal court appearance. The arresting officer was Sgt. Chris Baxter.

On April 14: Officers responded to the 7-11 located on Martinsville Road for a shoplifting complaint. An employee reported a group of men, earlier in the day, stole an undetermined amount of products from the store. The employee is compiling a list of stolen items and this matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On April 17: Officers and Liberty Corner Fire Company responded to Baldwin Court for a smoke
condition. LCFC members located smoke coming from a chimney of a residence. LCFC were able to
access the residence and found an unattended log smoldering in the chimney. The smoldering log was extinguished and the homeowner was notified by patrol officers.

On April 25 at 7:36 a.m.: Officers and detectives responded to a residence on Hillcrest Way for a burglary and stolen motor vehicle. Upon arrival officers learned unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the residence through a window. Once inside the residence the suspect(s) stole key fobs and a wallet. The suspect(s) also stole a 2019 Dodge Challenger from the driveway. The Dodge Challenger was later recovered in Newark. This case is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On April 25 at 9:43 a.m.: Officers responded to Magnolia Path for a report of damaged vehicles. Upon arrival officers discovered several vehicles with damaged windshields. This incident is under investigation by the Patrol Division and Detective Bureau.

On April 26 at around 10:42 p.m.: Officer Tim Polizzi saw a 2018 black Audi SUV traveling southbound on Mt. Airy Road. Polizzi saw the vehicle was swerving and failing to maintain the lane of travel. Polizzi conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Colleen Casini, of Martinsville. Casini was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to BTPD headquarters for processing. Casini was later released to a responsible party and issued several motor vehicle summonses.

On April 27 at around 9:40 p.m.: Officers responded to the Martinsville Exxon for a report of a single motor vehicle crash into a light pole. Upon arrival, officers found a 2023 white Dodge Durango had crashed at the Exxon and located the driver, Nicole Peterpaul, of Bridgewater. Peterpaul was not injured in the crash and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Peterpaul was taken to BTPD headquarters for processing and later released to a responsible party. Peterpaul was issued several motor summonses by the arresting officer Cpl. Michael Yeo.

On April 30 at around 10:47 p.m.: Officers responded to the Focacceria Restaurant on Church Street for a motor vehicle burglary and theft. The victim reported unknown suspect(s) entered their unlocked 2020 blue Mercedes Benz AMG GT53 and stole a wallet and money. Patrol officers checked the area but were unable to locate any suspects. This case is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

During the month of April, BTPD took four reports of identity theft and scams with around $3,000 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," said police.

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