Charges Filed In Window-Smashing Store Burglary In Mancheser

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Burlington County man has been arrested in the window-smashing burglary of a Country Farms convenience store in Manchester.

Keith T. Mulligan, 36, of Medford, was arrested Wednesday, Manchester Lt. Chris Cerullo said.

Surveillance video shared by Manchester police as they investigated the case showed a man taking a large stone and smashing the window at the store in Whiting on May 9. The man, who had several tattoos on his arm, ran behind the counter and grabbed several items off the shelf before running back to the window and climbing out, police said.

Police said the stolen items were Opia Kratom products, which are concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) products, not natural leaf kratom.

Detectives Victoria Guarino and Adam Guker were able to quickly identify Mulligan as the suspect, and on Wednesday they learned Mulligan's vehicle had been seen in Evesham Township on Tuesday, Cerullo said.

Guarino and Guker learned Mulligan spent a lot of time in the area of the Barclay Towers condominium complex in Cherry Hill, and when they went to look for him, found him sleeping in his vehicle at the complex, Cerullo said.

Mulligan has been charged with burglary, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and shoplifting, and he is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River pending a detention hearing.

"We urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement," Cerullo said. "Residents are reminded that they may report suspicious activity to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the Department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking the Tip Line link."

Previous reporting:

Burglar Caught On Video Smashing His Way Into Manchester Store, Stealing Products, Police Say