Lt. Greg Carpino, a Detective for Wall Township, has reported that they have arrested and charged two men with burglarizing several homes in the Sea Girt Estates section of Wall last week. Apparently the police department was dispatched to the area around 11:30 am in response to a suspicious persons report. When the officers arrived on scene they quickly determined that several homes in the area had been burglarized. Following an investigation, a twenty-seven year old male from Brick Township and a forty-four year old male from Neptune was placed under arrest. The Defendant from Neptune was formally charged with four counts of burglary, two counts of receiving stolen property and three counts of criminal mischief. Apparently, he also had an active warrant out of Somerset County for failure to pay child support. The Defendant from Brick Township was charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit burglary and two counts of receiving stolen property. Based on the way in which the Defendant’s have been charged, it appears that the detectives believe that the Neptune Defendant was the main culprit. Both Defendants were taken to the Monmouth County Jail, where they are most likely pending a what is referred to as a Detention Hearing. During that hearing, the prosecution will be seeking to convince the Judge that the Defendant’s must be detained in the Monmouth County jail, without bail, pending trial.
What is a Burglary Charge in New Jersey?
In order to be convicted of burglary in New Jersey, the prosecution must not only prove that the Defendant entered a dwelling unlawfully but also that their purpose in entering the dwelling was to commit an offense therein. Contrary to what most people think, the offense therein, does not have to be a theft related offense, it can in essence be any other offense. Burglary is considered either a second or third degree felony offense in New Jersey. Based on the facts as they are alleged here, the Defendants are most likely charged with burglary in the third degree. So, if convicted, the Defendants would be facing up to five years in State Prison. It is important to note here that the Defendant who is charged with the conspiracy to commit burglary will be facing the same penalties as the Defendant who actually committed the burglary. For more information on burglary charges in New Jersey, including what the prosecution must establish beyond a reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction, please click the link or contact our Middletown office at 732.858.6959.
Charged with Burglary in Monmouth County NJ?
As one would imagine, burglary charges in New Jersey are taken very seriously and they tend to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If you have been charged with burglary, theft of moveable property, theft by deception, robbery, terroristic threats or any other offense for that matter in Monmouth County, the Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. If you would like to sit down with one of our attorneys and discuss your options, then please contact us at 732.858.6959.
