Man Burglarized Car, Found Hiding At Branchburg Motel: Police

BRANCHBURG, NJ — A Ringoes man was arrested after police say he burglarized a car, used credit cards from the burglary, and then tried to hide in a motel room in Branchburg.

On Monday, a Branchburg resident reported that their parked car was burglarized outside of their home sometime after 3 a.m.

Several items were stolen from inside the vehicle, including various debit and credit cards, said Branchburg Police Chief Richard Buck.

An investigation by Branchburg Police Detectives found that the suspect had used the victim’s credit/debit card(s) at several nearby locations after the motor vehicle burglary occurred.

On Thursday, detectives positively identified Christopher J. Camargo, 32, of Ringoes, as the suspect in the motor vehicle burglary and that he was staying at a motel in Branchburg, said Buck.

Detectives got a Somerset County Superior Court Ordered Search Warrant for Camargo's motel room. When police tried to make contact with Camargo, he tried to run away before retreating back into his room, said Buck.

Camargo was ultimately found tried to hide in a storage area of the motel room and was taken into custody without further incident, said Buck.

Proceeds from the motor vehicle burglary, along with other items associated with criminal activity were recovered from Camargo’s motel room, said Buck.

Camargo was formally charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree theft by unlawful
taking, third-degree receiving stolen property, third-degree possession of controlled dangerous
substance(s), and disorderly persons offenses of possessions of drug paraphernalia, hindering
apprehension, and obstructing the administration of law.

Camargo was ultimately lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing on these charges.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Branchburg Police Department at 908-526-3830 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips willbe kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.