Car Broken Into At Rt. 18 PetSmart, Purse Stolen

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — A man was arrested this week for allegedly breaking into a car in the parking lot of the East Brunswick PetSmart on Rt. 18, and stealing a woman's purse, police said.

The incident happened at 4:30 in the afternoon this past Wednesday, Sept 26: A witness called police to report that he saw a man going into a car and removing a purse. He said he saw the man leave the area and walk behind the PetSmart.

When police got there, they said they found the alleged suspect, Phillip Soto-Diaz, 42 of East Brunswick, behind PetSmart with a purse and wallet in his possession.

The witness who called police positively identified Soto-Diaz as the person who entered the victim’s vehicle and removed the purse, police said. He was charged with burglary to a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property. He was released on his own recognizance pending a court date.

Photo: The exterior of the Rt. 18 PetSmart via Google Earth.