Crime & Safety
2 Arrested In South Brunswick Burglary Case: Police
Two North Brunswick men were arrested following a three-month investigation.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Two men have been arrested and charged in a home burglary in which jewelry and cash were stolen in the Point at Turnbury development in Monmouth Junction, South Brunswick Police said on Thursday.
James O’Connor, 38, and Derrick McCaskill, 51, both of North Brunswick, were arrested following a three-month investigation, Chief Raymond Hayducka said.
O’Connor was charged with burglary and theft. McCaskill was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and theft.
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Police allege the men worked together to steal a safe containing jewelry and cash during the daytime hours on Dec. 23, 2016.
Earlier in the month, O’Connor had done some handy work in the development. As a result, he knew when people in the development would and wouldn’t be home, police said.
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After the burglary was reported, detectives canvassed the neighborhood and recovered surveillance video police said showed two people manipulating video cameras in the area.
Footage from a nearby surveillance video showed a unique looking silver colored pick-up truck with a box shaped object resembling a safe in the bed of the truck. A placard had been placed over the the rear license plate so it could not be seen.
Detectives were ultimately able to identify the truck and traced it to a home in North Brunswick. A subsequent warrant search of the home connected O’Connor and McCaskill to the robbery, police said.
North Brunswick Police assisted in the arrest of McCaskill at his home. Long Beach Township Police arrested O’Connor, and turned him over to South Brunswick Police.
Both O’Connor and McCaskill were released pending their next court appearance.
“This case required persistence and determination in identifying all the evidence and leads. This case exemplifies the commitment our department has in following through on all leads,” Hayducka said.
He credited Det. Dennis Yuhasz with his work on the case, and thanked the North Brunswick and Long Beach Township Police for assisting in the arrests.
Attached images of James O’Connor and Derrick McCaskill were provided by South Brunswick Police
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