Theft Of Identity, Unlawful Use Of Credit Cards: Princeton Police Blotter

The following is a summary of incidents as reported by Princeton Police:

On March 25, at 8:01 a.m., officers responded to headquarters for a report of a stolen electric scooter. A man reported that his black and red Circooter Raptor electric scooter had been taken from the front porch of his home sometime between March 22 and March 23. The scooter, valued at $999, along with an Apple AirTag valued at $30 concealed within it, resulted in a total loss of $1,029. Surveillance footage from a neighboring residence captured an unidentified suspect on the porch wearing white sneakers, ripped jeans, a black sweatshirt, and a face mask. AirTag tracking data placed the scooter in Trenton, NJ. The incident remains under investigation.

On March 26, at 11:07 a.m., a woman reported that an unknown suspect used her PNC Bank debit card without authorization to make an online purchase through Best Buy on Jan. 26 in the amount of $1,545. The following day, the suspect picked up a 14-inch MacBook Pro from the Best Buy store located on Nassau Park Boulevard. While several additional unauthorized transactions were attempted, they were denied by the bank. There are no suspects at this time. The incident remains under investigation.

On March 27, following a motor vehicle stop on Cherry Hill Road after observing a vehicle obstructing the roadway, the driver, an Ewing resident, was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was taken into custody. He was transported to police headquarters for processing. After processing, the 37-year-old was issued motor vehicle summonses for obstructing passage of other vehicles, consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle, open container of alcohol, willfully disabling a motor vehicle on a highway, obstruction of windshield, reckless driving, and driving while intoxicated. He was later released after the required holding period.

On March 27, officers responded to a residence on Lytle Street at 10:34 a.m. for a reported theft. The victim reported that a red Western Pro Plus snow plow, valued at approximately $5,000, had been removed from the rear yard without permission. Through investigation, officers identified a suspect who had taken the snow plow from the property to another location in New Jersey. The plow was later returned; however, the victim reported it was damaged and requested to pursue criminal charges. The suspect was taken into custody and charged with theft. He was processed and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

On March 29, officers responded to the area of Clay Street at 12:30 p.m. for a reported theft. A woman reported her wallet had been stolen earlier that morning from the Alchemist and Barrister and was able to track its location using an Apple AirTag. On arrival, officers located an intoxicated man sitting on a bench in the rear of Clay Street. The AirTag signal was traced to the man, and the woman's wallet was recovered from his jacket pocket. All contents were accounted for, and the total value of $425 was fully recovered. The investigation revealed the victim was last seen with the wallet upon leaving the restaurant, but the exact circumstances of how it was lost and later obtained remain undetermined. The victim declined to pursue criminal charges.

On March 31, on 7:11 p.m., officers responded to a home on Coventry Farm for a report of theft and criminal mischief. The property manager reported that unknown individual(s) entered a barn through an unsecured door and removed six Corona beer bottles, valued at around $12. A broken bottle was also located inside the barn. Additionally, unknown individual(s) operated an all-terrain vehicle on the property, causing damage to a grass path and leaving tire tracks. The property manager also reported that a large quantity of wooden logs had been illegally dumped on the premises. There are no suspects or surveillance footage at this time.

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