Burglars Targeting Central New Jersey Homes Captured
South Brunswick Police caught up with two burglars who were targeting homes in central New Jersey Saturday evening. At around 8:45 PM, South Brunswick Police were advised by North Brunswick Police that two suspects in a silver GMC SUV with Pennsylvania license plates had just left North Brunswick after trying to break into two homes in their township. Minutes later, the SUV was reported to be in the Summerfield Development off Route 522. A witness called police headquarters to say someone had gotten out of the SUV and gone behind a home on Scenic Drive. Minutes later, the witness reported the SUV had left the neighborhood. Officer Garret Byrne spotted the SUV on Route 522 near Georges Road.
Officer Byrne was soon joined by Sergeant Raymond McCarthy, Officer Dale Hubner, Officer Owen Lennon, and Officer Victoria Olexsa. The officers conducted a motor vehicle stop further down the road on Route 522. The two occupants of the SUV, Michael Guess, age 67, and Mark Guess, age 62, both of Philadelphia, were detained. South Brunswick officers determined that both men were captured on video surveillance attempting to get into a North Brunswick home.
Officer Olexsa began canvassing the area of Scenic Way to check which home may have been broken into. She located a homeowner who reported that one of the men attempted to burglarize her house, and that homeowner also provided video evidence of the act.
The two men were arrested are charged with Attempted Burglary and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary. Their vehicle was also impounded pending the issuance of a search warrant.
Detectives are continuing the investigation. “We are providing the public with images of the suspect’s SUV. We are asking residents in the central New Jersey area to check their home surveillance from Saturday evening to see if they observe the vehicle on their street,” said Detective Sergeant Tim Hoover. Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Hoover or Detective Jamal Benbow at (732) 329-4000 extension 7469.
Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “These burglars were caught in the act because of great community partnerships, good coordination between police departments, and a rapid response. It takes a team effort to stop crime, and this is a perfect example.”
