Crime & Safety

3 Men Wanted For Defacing Security Camera With Spray Paint In Princeton: Police

Criminal mischief, defiant trespassing, and theft were also reported recently in Princeton.

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

PRINCETON, NJ — Three men are wanted for defacing a security camera at a Princeton business on Friday.

The owner of a business on South Tulane Street reported that on Nov. 20, between 9:55 and 10:05 p.m., three unidentified white men were seen on surveillance footage walking towards the back of the business.

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One man was seen on video defacing the camera attached to the back of the office, as well as an additional camera on the side of the building, with a can of red spray paint to cover the lens, said police.

The owner provided photographs and videos of the suspects. The identities of the three suspects are unknown at this time.

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The suspects are described as:

  • Suspect #1 - White man, around early 20s, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt(hood on), with a green jacket over top, a black bandana covering his mouth, light blue baggy jeans, glasses, with brown curly hair
  • Suspect # 2 - White man, around early 20s, wearing a black bubble style jacket, gray sweatpants, and a green baseball style hat, with a beard
  • Suspect # 3- White man, around early 20s, wearing a green hooded jacket(hood on)

Other Princeton Police blotter items:

On Nov. 20 at 2:42 p.m.: A victim reported that between 11:50 a.m. and 12:19 p.m. on Nov. 19, someone caused scratches along the right side of her parked vehicle on Cleveland Lane. The damage included long scrapes to both right-side doors and the right quarter panel, believed to have been made intentionally with a sharp object. A canvas of the area revealed no available video footage, and there are no suspects at this time. The estimated damage is under $500.

On Nov. 20 at 11:16 a.m.: Patrols went to a business on North Harrison Street for a report of an intoxicated person on the property. Upon arrival, officers found the accused, Miguel Tlaseca-Tapia, 43, of Princeton, inside the store despite having previously been told not to trespass. While being escorted off the property, Tlaseca-Tapia became agitated, assumed a fighting stance, and hit an officer with his arm. He was taken into custody and taken to police headquarters for processing. Tlaseca-Tapia was issued three special complaint summonses for defiant trespass, disorderly conduct, and possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages, all carrying a mandatory court date. He was released from custody without further incident.

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On Nov. 24 at 11:06 a.m.: Between Nov. 22 and 24, a secured bicycle and related accessories were stolen from a bicycle rack near an apartment on North Stanworth Drive. The victim reported that her silver Specialized bicycle, a dark blue Thule Yepp child seat attachment, and two combination bicycle locks were taken. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at $1,077.78. A canvas of the area revealed no available surveillance cameras, and no suspects have been identified at this time.

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