Brick Couple Charged In Senior Community Burglary Spree

by Patricia A. Miller

A months-long cooperative investigation between area police departments led to the arrest of two Brick Township residents for a number of burglaries in the Silver Ridge Park and Mule Road business area, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

James Donegan, 37, and Amiko Huggins-Donegan, 35, Ebb Tide Drive, Brick Township were both charged with three counts of burglaries and three counts of theft for burglaries on Randalls Court, Zeeland Drive and Mule Road, the chief said.

Berkeley detectives had enough evidence by Feb. 11 to obtain a search warrant for their home and vehicles, DiMichele said.

The investigation began back in October of 2015, after multiple residential and commercial burglaries. In each case, entry was forced and jewelry, cash and other valuables were stolen. All occurred in unoccupied homes during the daytime, the chief said.

Berkeley Township police began an extensive investigation in an attempt to identify and apprehend the suspects.

“This investigation led into neighboring jurisdictions that also had similar burglaries,” DiMichele said.

As leads were developed, other police departments became involved, including detectives from Ocean Gate, Toms River, Brick Township and Lacey Township. Police began a cooperative surveillance of the suspects in Brick Township, DiMichele said.

Brick police arrested the couple at 9:07 p.m. on Feb. 11 at Drum Point Plaza without incident.

Both subjects were taken to Brick Township Police Department and their vehicle was seized. Brick police entered their home and Berkeley detectives found more evidence related to the burglaries, DiMichele said.

Police also discovered proceeds in the vehicle from burglaries in Brick and Toms River, the chief said.

James Donegan and Amiko Donegan were taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $25,000 bail apiece for the Berkeley burglaries. Additional bails of $100,000 were set for each in connection with charges for burglaries and thefts in Brick Township, DiMichele said.

More charges are expected as police process evidence and items are identified, she said.

“It should be noted that this successful investigation is the result of a continued cooperative effort between these respective agencies,” the chief said. “Further, this investigation was assisted by the Laurelton Fire Department. In addition, local residents and neighbors of the victims were instrumental in solving these burglaries. Accurate reporting, detailed observations and neighborhood awareness directly contributed to these arrests.”