Middletown Police Chased Naked Burglary Suspect In NJ: Cops

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Middletown police chased, and apprehended, a suspected burglar Tuesday morning who also happened to be naked from the waist down, and was then hiding, fully naked, under the porch of a home on Hunters Pointe, said police.

The incident started at approximately 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 7: Middletown police were called to a home on Phillips Mills Drive for a report of a burglary. The homeowner reported that the male suspect was wearing only a sweater and was naked from the waist down.

Additional officers, including Sgt. Brian McGrogan and his K9 bloodhound Jax, responded to the area and began searching for the man, who had fled on foot.

While officers were conducting a canvas of the area, the subject was observed running in the area of Hunters Pointe, a development off Main Street/Middle Road in Middletown. Officers converged on the area and discovered that the man had attempted to gain entry to a home on that street as well. Ptl. Stephen Greenwood and his K9 Koda began a track and located the subject, now fully naked, hiding under a rear deck of a house on Hunters Pointe.

The suspect was identified as Jacob S. Gerges, 35, of Leonardo. Gerges was charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary, and one count each of theft, lewdness and resisting arrest. He was taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a hearing.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Det. Keith Hirschbein at (732) 615-2120.

A Middletown police spokesman said he had "no idea" why the suspect was naked.