Despite Rash of Burglaries, Crime Down in Moorestown in 2014

Crime in Moorestown is down nearly 20 percent for the first six months of this year, but up by over 30 percent for the month of June.

Overall, there were 171 crimes reported from January through June of 2014, compared to 210 last year for a difference of 18.6 percent, according to the New Jersey State Police Uniform Crime Report.

Violent crime has increased 18.5 percent, from 13 reported incidents in 2013 to 18 in 2014. Non-violent crime is down 24.6 percent.

The June increase is caused in part by a rash of burglaries in Moorestown since the beginning of June. A total of eight burglaries were reported in June, including seven in which forced entry was involved.

The burglaries have continued throughout the summer. Moorestown Police Lt. Lee Lieber recently appeared before Council and spoke about steps the department is taking to combat them, including increased patrols.

For the year, a total of 17 burglaries have been reported, the same as January-June of last year.

Robberies have also increased, up to 12 for the first six months of this year compared to five last year. Four of those involved weapons, including two incidents in which firearms were used, but a majority (8) have been strong-arm robberies.

There have been three rapes this year, compared to two at this time in 2013.

The number of reported assaults was cut in half, from six to three, but simple assaults are up, from 10 to 12.

Larceny theft is down 26.5 percent, from 166 to 122, and motor vehicle thefts have been cut in half, from four to two.

No stats were available for homicides in Moorestown.