South Brunswick Police Department Chief Raymond Hayducka announced today the arrest of a man connected to multiple break-ins and attempted break-ins. Bruce Thompson age 62 who recently moved to South Brunswick from Florida was charged three counts of burglary, three counts of criminal mischief, and one count of terroristic threats.
The incidents all started last Wednesday at 9:30 am when South Brunswick Police were called to the Riya Plaza on Route 27 for a dispute. The victim reported he was doing work in the area when a white male approached him and threatened to shoot him. The victim had no idea why the suspect wanted to shoot him. When officers arrived, the suspect had already left the area.
At 10:50 am officers received a call of a break-in to the VFW Post 9111 on Henderson Road. A witness reported someone leaving the area on a bicycle. Officers Robert Halmi and Collen Murphy were responding to the burglary when they observed a male on a bicycle on Henderson Road and Route 1. The officers observed the man to be holding a beer bottle, Corona Extra, and had a cut on his hand. As officers questioned the man identified as Bruce Thompson, other officers went to the VFW Post. At the VFW Post, officers determined the suspect had broken into the VFW Post by smashing a side window. Officers observed blood on the ground near the window. Once inside the suspect rummaged a cash register and stole alcohol. One of the alcohol bottles stolen was a Corona Extra.
While at the VFW Post, officers were approached by a business owner across the street – D”Bella Salon. She reported someone had attempted to burglarize her salon. Officers observed damage to the salon’s window and a rock near the damaged window. The officers observed blood on the ground and a Corona Extra bottle cap. Officers determined the Corona Extra bottle Thompson was holding and the bottle cap had come from the VFW Post.
Detectives then located a video from Riya Plaza showing Thompson threatening to shoot the worker earlier. While at the strip mall, officers were approached by the owner of FC Tacos and Catina. The owner reported someone had smashed a side door attempting to gain entry to the business. Detectives later linked Thompson to the attempted burglary.
Chief Hayducka credited the witness and the teamwork of the officers with making the arrest. “It is coordination by officers and cooperation by the public that stopped this one-man crime spree,” said Hayducka.
