South Brunswick Police Chase Monroe Man Through Timber Ponds

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — After leading police on a foot chase through the Timber Ponds development, this man was arrested Monday morning in South Brunswick, in an incident where police said he robbed a real estate agent who was preparing to show a vacant model home in the East Meadow Estates development.

Police believe the suspect, a Monroe man, had also been squatting in several vacant model homes over the past few days in East Meadow Estates, and may have been behind several recent criminal incidents in Timber Ponds.

The incident started before 11 a.m. at East Meadow Estates, a new housing development off Beekman Road. A real estate agent called police to report that when she arrived at a model home Monday morning, it appeared someone had gained entry to the home.

While on the second floor of the model home, the saleswoman said she heard a noise on the first floor and heard the garage door go up. She secured the home and went to her vehicle to get her cell phone. She opened her car and realized her Michael Kors handbag was stolen.

Several officers arrived in the area and to set up a perimeter around the development. As Officer Greg Boldizar was arriving, he observed this man pictured above on Dickinson Road in the nearby Timber Ponds development. After seeing the officer, the suspect immediately began to run behind homes on Dickinson Road. As Officer Boldizar chased the suspect, other officers joined the foot pursuit as it went behind homes off Village Road.

Within 12 minutes officers had the neighborhood surrounded. Officer William Beard captured the suspect in the backyard of a home on Country Woods Drive.

Christoph Drummond, 42, of Monroe was charged with burglary, theft and criminal trespass. Detectives believe that Drummond has been operating in those neighborhoods for several days.

“After we arrested him we developed information indicating he may have been staying in the model homes for a few days," said Detective Sergeant Michael Pellino. "The people noticed unusual activity, but no one contacted the police. The unusual activity in the model homes matches up with incidents we had been following up on in nearby Timber Ponds development. We believe Mr. Drummond may be connected to other crimes and are asking for the public’s help.”

Police did not elaborate what those "incidents" in Timber Ponds were. However, they ask that if anyone recognizes this man, they should call South Brunswick Detective Bureau at (732) 329-4000 ext. 7496.

“This was a team effort over several blocks in some bitter cold conditions. All the officers did an excellent job arresting this suspect and putting an end to several ongoing cases,” said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka.

Photo provided by South Brunswick police.