With home invasions and car burglaries on the rise, local police departments throughout Somerset County, including Bridgewater and Warren Township are urging people to be more cautious about leaving their vehicles unlocked. According to nj.com, just earlier this week, the Bridgewater Police Department reported that two individuals attempted to break into a home near Winder Drive and Crawford Court earlier this week. Warren Township via their Facebook Page reported that “over the past several months numerous motor vehicle thefts and burglaries have been reported throughout the county and surrounding counties along the Interstate 78 corridor as well as various locations in northern New Jersey”. Although the police departments continue to insist “there is no immediate threat to residents” they are asking them to lock their doors and call 9-1-1 if they observe any suspicious activity.
Home Invasions & Car Burglary on the Rise in Somerset County
In an effort to combat this problem, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson, stated that they have partnered with an a cellphone application called STOPIT. This is an app that can be downloaded to any smart phone and if anyone thinks they see a crime being committed, then can anonymously text law enforcement of their observations. According to nj.com, Robertson has stated that “we are the first law enforcement agency in the United State to use an app this way,” … “This could be a neighborhood watch on steroids. … We all have cell phones, and in particular smart phones.” This just another way for citizens to help law enforcement out in an effort to combat crime.
What Constitutes a Burglary in New Jersey?
Burglary is often confused with the crime of robbery. An individual will be charged with burglary when in essence it is alleged that they unlawfully entered a structure with the intent to commit an offense therein. Now, more often than not the “offense therein” is a theft related offense, it does not have to be, it is any offense therein. Conversely, an individual will be charged with robbery when it is alleged they used some form of force in order to commit a theft. So basically, it is a combination of an assault and a theft crime. So as you can see, these two crimes are anything but similar. To learn more about burglaries, including car burglaries, please checkout our Somerset County Burglary Defense Practice Area.
Bridgewater NJ Burglary Lawyer
If you have been alleged to have committed a burglary in Somerset or Hunterdon County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Burglary charges have been on the rise over the years in towns throughout New Jersey including towns throughout Somerset County. One of the main reasons for that according to most law enforcement is the war on drugs that New Jersey continues to battle. According to most, the rise in prescription drug and heroin abuse has drastically lead to an increase in theft related crimes. If you would like to speak to one of our Somerset County criminal defense lawyers about your options, then please contact us at 908-533-1064. We appear in courts throughout Somerset and Hunterdon County, including Raritan, Readington, Clinton, Bridgewater, North Plainfield, Franklin, Green Brook and Hillsborough.
For more information on this story, please checkout nj.com article called Police warn about attempted burglaries, thefts from cars.
