Crime & Safety
Highland Park Experiencing A String Of Burglaries, Police Say
The home and car break-ins have occurred in recent weeks in the area of South Adelaide, Lincoln and Lawrence avenues, said police.
HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — Highland Park Police say there has been a string of burglaries in that town this December, and last Tuesday, they took a man into custody who police said admitted to breaking into a home and stealing power tools.
The home and car break-ins have occurred in the area around South Adelaide Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Cleveland Avenue and Lawrence Avenue, said police.
"Most of the time, the people perpetrating these crimes are entering unlocked home windows, doors and vehicles," said Highland Park police spokesman Capt. Jose Curbelo.
Find out what's happening in New Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In last Tuesday's arrest, Highland Park Police received a 911 call from a resident at 1 p.m. that day. The resident told police he saw a "suspicious" individual walking on South Adelaide Avenue carrying a chainsaw and a box of tools.
"The individual was walking with a box of tools and a chainsaw (not in the box) in hand," said Capt. Curbelo. "We have been posting and notifying our residents about burglaries in the area, specifically targeting tools and electronics."
Find out what's happening in New Brunswickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A police patrolman located the man walking towards New Brunswick carrying a chainsaw and an open box of tools and electronics. The man said he bought the tools from Home Depot and was walking to New Brunswick. However, police said upon further questioning the man said he stole the items from a Highland Park home.
The man was not named by police, but he was taken into police custody and charged with theft, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is a 23-year-old resident of Odessa, Texas. The items were returned to the Highland Park homeowner.
Highland Park Police are asking residents to lock all homes, cars and windows.
Anyone with further information about this or any other burglary is asked to call the Highland Park Detective Bureau supervisor, Det. Sgt. J. Culver at Jculver@hpboro.com or at 732-572-3800 Ext 4248.
Get great local news. Sign up for Patch emails: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this Patch reporter: Carly.baldwin@patch.com
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
