Full Notification

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski, Raritan Township Police Chief Glenn Tabasko, and New Jersey State Police Kingwood Station Commander Roger Malone are announcing that police are investigating multiple burglaries that occurred in Hunterdon County over the last two weeks.

According to Prosecutor Kearns, “On August 12th and August 16th six residences on Old York Road in Raritan Twp. and East Amwell Twp. were burglarized. We believe that the suspects may be ringing the doorbell at homes prior to breaking in. Residents should be extra vigilant when their doorbell rings. The person at the door may have a planned excuse for being at the residence, whether looking for directions, soliciting work or just saying they must have the wrong house. Being prepared to call to 9-1-1 before answering the door, it just may give patrol units those few extra moments of response time needed to intercept these suspects. If it just doesn’t seem right it may not be and having police check these subjects out may point law enforcement to the offenders.”

While the investigations into these crimes continue, the Prosecutor asks all of our county residents to remain vigilant, lock your doors and report to police any persons or vehicles that appear to be unfamiliar in their neighborhoods. The Prosecutor reported that vigilant neighbors have been responsible for multiple arrests in the past.

If anyone has any information regarding the above mentioned crimes or any crime please call your local police department or the Major Crimes Unit of the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s office at 908-788-1129.

Below are some crime prevention tips for homeowners.

Home Safety Tips
• Be aware of what’s happening in the neighborhood. Lock your doors, including the garage door. Unlocked doors are open invitations to intruders.
• Ask a trusted family member, friend, or neighbor to keep a watchful eye on your home or have your mail held at the local post office until your return.
• Put lights on timers to give the impression that someone is home.
• Don’t post on social media that you are leaving town, and wait to post photos after you return from your trip.

Vacation Tips
• Lock your hotel room and remember not to give out your room number or invite strangers into your hotel room.
• Be friendly but be vigilant. Watch for and report any suspicious behavior.
• Plan your route – stay within well-traveled routes and walk in groups. There’s safety in numbers.
• Keep your belongings secure - Purses should be securely closed, backpacks zipped, and wallets kept in your front pocket. When dining in restaurants do not hang your purse or backpack on the back of your chair.

Tips for Parents
• Be proactive – make a backup plan in case the group gets separated during a family outing and have a scheduled meeting place and time.
• If your child or teen will be alone a significant amount of time, have him/her check in with you if they plan to leave the house and when they arrive back home.
• Monitor Internet and social media activity to establish children and teens are visiting appropriate sites and following guidelines.

Car Safety Tips
• Always lock your doors and roll up your windows when you leave your car.
• Do not leave valuables in the car. If you must leave prized possessions in your vehicle keep them out of sight or hidden in the trunk.
• Before you get into your car, check the backseat and around the car. Lock your doors once inside the car.

For more crime prevention tips go to http://www.ncpc.org/

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com, or text messaging “HCTIPS” plus your tip message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters can also download the free mobile app “Tipsubmit” and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.

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For press releases visit our website at: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/prosecutor/press.htm