Gloucester Township Police Media Release- Stake Out Leads to the Arrest of a Serial Burglar
On 10/27/2022, at approximately 6:57 AM, Gloucester Township Police Officers responded to a residence on La Costa Drive in the Valleybrook Townhome development, area for a report of a burglary to a residence, and theft of a vehicle that occurred in the overnight hours. When the resident awoke, she found her residence ransacked, her car keys missing, and her vehicle gone. Entry was believed to be gained by a suspect climbing on a spa Jacuzzi tub in the backyard; and then entered through an unlocked window. The victim was able to track her vehicle via a phone app to Fairview Avenue in Gloucester Township. The unoccupied vehicle was located and recovered by Officers.
During this initial investigation, a sweep of the area for was conducted by officers. Officers located three other vehicles in the neighborhood that were burglarized. Officers also spoke with several residents who shared surveillance footage, showing the suspect in the area. Officers conducted a thorough canvass of the area where the stolen vehicle was recovered. They developed information that a person matching the suspect description was staying in a hotel room at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel located at 832 N. Black Horse Pike in Gloucester Township. Officers then began a stake out operation of the suspect’s hotel room.
While this investigation was ongoing, Officers were dispatched to another vehicle burglary in the same area. Officers developed information that the same suspect appeared to be responsible for this burglary. While canvassing the area, Officers located another stolen vehicle on an adjacent street that had been reported stolen the night before from a nearby business. This business was located a short distance away from the Howard Johnsons Hotel.
Several hours later, the officers conducting the stake out operation observed the suspect leaving his room at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel. Officers approached the suspect, and he immediately fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit through the adjacent wooded property, he was taken into custody without incident. Detectives continued the investigation, and the suspect was determined to be involved in this crime spree. Stolen property from the vehicles and the burglarized residence was recovered. The suspect was charged and remanded to the Camden County Detention Facility.
Chief David Harkins stated, “This successful investigation was a great team effort of many officers from the Gloucester Township Police Patrol Bureau and Investigations Bureau. I am proud of the diligence, patience, and tenacity with which these officers performed during this investigation. Their efforts led to a safe apprehension of a brazen serial criminal burglar who entered and burglarized a home while the resident was sleeping. The efforts of these Gloucester Township Police Officers brought ended his crime spree and led to the recovery of the victim’s property. It was an example of great police work.”
Arrested: Tyree Taylor, age 25, d.o.b.: 2-25-1997, 700 block of Central Avenue, Camden, NJ 08104
Charges: -1 count 3rd degree Burglary of a residence
-5 counts 3rd degree Burglary to a motor vehicle. (5 cars broken into, 3 cars had items stolen)
-3 counts of Theft from vehicle
-2 counts of 3rd degree Theft of a vehicle (for the 2 stolen cars)
-1 count of Resisting Arrest by Flight
-1 count of Obstruction of Justice
If anyone has information about this incident, of believes they were the victim of this suspect, please call the Gloucester Township Police Department at 856-228-4500.
Residents are reminded to always lock the doors and windows or your residence and to follow the 9 PM Routine of locking your vehicle every night. Get into the #9PMRoutine EVERY NIGHT by ensuring that your vehicles, residences doors, garages, windows, gates, sheds have been LOCKED.
By participating in the 9 PM Routine, residents can help reduce the opportunity for residential burglaries and thefts. Residents observing suspicious and/ or criminal acts in progress should call Gloucester Township Police at 856-228-4500. If you have an Emergency, CALL 911. A vast majority of burglaries happen to unlocked cars, so police remind residents to:
• Don't leave valuables in plain sight. Offenders will look into the vehicle first to see if it is worth breaking into;
• Park in a well-lit area in the evening hours;
• If you park in your garage, make sure you lock your garage; and
• Call Gloucester Township Police if you see anyone suspicious in the area. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Residents can contact our twenty four (24) hour Community Policing Dispatch Center at 856-228-4500 or simply call 911.
Date of Media Release: 10/28/2022
Police Cases: 2022-49837 / 49848 / 49863 / 49864 / 49885 / 49888
Media Release By: Captain John Stollsteimer #150
Approved By: Chief David Harkins #122
