South Brunswick Man Used Tiki Torch to Break Into Car, Police Say

South Brunswick, NJ - A South Brunswick man who police say tried to break into someone's car using a tiki torch Friday has now been hit with more charges. Alexander Allen, 24, of South Brunswick has been charged with trying to break into a car on Dutchess Lane Friday, and later that same day, breaking into a George's Road home and stealing a purse.

The events started at 4:50 a.m. Friday, when a resident on Dutchess Lane observed a man standing in the driveway of a neighbor’s home. The man, later identified as Allen, was attempting to get into a vehicle parked in the driveway, police said. The neighbor called the homeowner, who called 911. Allen ran when the resident came out of the home, police said.

Officers think he had taken a tiki torch from a back porch and attempted to use it to break the car’s window and get the homeowner’s purse, which was inside. There was oil spilled from the torch on the driveway.

The neighbor provided a brief description of the suspect and as officers searched the area, they got a phone call from a resident of East Garden Apartments about 30 minutes later. The resident said she saw someone running behind her apartment. Officers stayed in the area and at 7:30 a.m. the suspect emerged walking on Rt 522. Police stopped Allen to question him and saw his jacket had oil stains, police said.

In addition to the Dutchess Lane burglary, detectives believe he entered other unlocked vehicles and stole change from inside. He was arrested Friday morning and charged with burglary. However, after he was released later that same Friday, Allen was arrested again and charged with entering a George’s Road home and stealing a purse, according to TAP Into South Brunswick.

South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka credited the alert resident with getting involved and making a phone call. “This suspect was walking around in the middle of the night entering vehicles. This resident’s phone call and the police response prevented an unknown number of residents from waking up and finding items stolen from their vehicles.”

Photo of Alexander Allen provided by South Brunswick Police