Aspiring Grinch Breaks Ankle In Attempted Business Burglary: Cops

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A potential burglar attempted to do his best imitation of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas on Christmas Eve, but all he was rewarded with was a trip to the hospital. An employee who was at the unnamed business after hours heard what he thought was someone walking on the roof and called police to the business just before 2 a.m. on Dec. 24, according to the Gloucester Township Police Department.

Responding officers found a man later identified as Dennis Niceler on the roof dressed in all dark clothing, gloves and a ski mask, police said. When he realized police were on the scene, he ignored them and ran to the other side of the roof. Officers from the Pine Hill, Lindenwold, Berlin Borough and Pine Valley police departments assisted with setting up a perimeter around the complex.

When Niceler realized he was surrounded, he came to the conclusion that his only course of action was to jump off the roof in an attempt to escape, police said. However, when he hit the ground, he broke his ankle. He was immediately apprehended by police officers and taken to Cooper Hospital.

According to police, Niceler was found to be in possession of a crowbar, hammer, two screwdrivers, wire cutters, gloves and a ski mask. Officers then checked the roof with the help of Blackwood and Erial fire departments, and verified that no additional suspects were hiding there.

There was no damage to any of the access points. It is believed that officers arrived before Niceler could access any businesses due to the quick actions of the employee who called 911, police said.

Niceler was charged on a criminal summons with trespassing, resisting by flight and possession of burglar tools. He was released pending his court date.

The investigation is ongoing for this incident and as to whether Niceler may be involved in any other similar incidents in the South Jersey area.

“The arrest was the result of our partnerships with local businesses and following the message of, if you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, say something by calling 911,” police said in a statement. “With the assistance of our multi-agency partnerships, we were able to successfully take the suspect into custody before he could be a Christmas Grinch and steal from a business owner.”

Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to call the Gloucester Township Police Anonymous Crime Tipline at 856-842-5560 or send an anonymous tip via text message by texting the keywords TIP GLOTWPPD and your message to 888777.

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