Community
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: Friday, January 9, 2026 at 1:12 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: A residence on South Post Rd.
REPORTING OFFICER: Patrolman A. Dogostiano #5126
PRIMARY INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Detective Peter Buchanan #5109
OFFICERS INVOLVED: 1) West Windsor Twp. Patrol Officers
2) West Windsor Twp. Investigations Unit
3) West Windsor Twp. Communications
4) Ret. Deputy Chief J. Stoddard – South Brunswick PD
5) Officer D. Stoddard – South Brunswick PD (Off-Duty)
6) Robbinsville Twp. Police Dept.
7) Mercer County Special Investigations Unit
8) Trenton Police Department
9) Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
10) Mercer County Tactical Response Team
11) New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit
ARRESTED: 1) Miguel A. Vargas - 37 y/o resident of Trenton, NJ
DETAILS:
On Friday, January 9, 2025 at approximately 1:12 pm, the West Windsor Twp. Police Department Communications center received a 9-1-1 call and dispatched patrol officers to a report of a residential burglary in progress on South Post Rd. The resident received an alert indicating his burglary alarm (glass break) was activated at which time he requested his neighbor, a retired South Brunswick Deputy Chief, to check the perimeter of his home. Ret. Deputy Chief J. Stoddard and his son, Officer D. Stoddard, a current South Brunswick Police Officer that was off duty at the time, conducted a check of the residence and observed that a rear bedroom window had been broken. Ret. Deputy Chief Stoddard called 9-1-1 and while awaiting patrol’s arrival, they observed the suspect exiting the residence from the broken window.
The suspect was instructed to stop by Officer Stoddard at which time a foot pursuit was initiated. The suspect ran into Mercer County Park and entered a 2007 Silver Hyundai Santa Fe that was parked in a lot near the soccer fields.
Officer Stoddard captured a photo of the suspect and vehicle to include the vehicle’s license plate and provided that to responding officers. The suspect fled by driving onto the soccer fields through the park and onto Old Trenton Rd. Patrol officers arrived and it was believed the suspect vehicle fled into Robbinsville Twp. A bulletin was issued and Robbinsville Officers located the vehicle on US Route 130 South where they attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop, however the vehicle fled onto 195 west.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the registered owner of the vehicle resided on Monmouth St. in Trenton. Officers were requested to assist and units from the Mercer County Special Investigations Unit, the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department all responded in some capacity to assist. Undercover officers observed the suspect vehicle pull into the driveway of the residence and observed an individual matching the suspect exit the driver’s door and proceed to enter the front door of the residence. West Windsor Detectives along with Officers from the Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office maintained a perimeter around the residence for approximately 4 hours before the suspect exited the residence and turned himself in. Miguel A. Vargas was taken into custody and a search warrant was executed on the residence with the assistance of the Mercer County Tactical Response team. A search revealed evidence of the burglary as well as possible proceeds from an unrelated burglary.
Vargas was charged with Burglary (2nd degree) and Criminal Mischief (3rd degree). The West Windsor Police Department wishes to thank all of the agencies involved in assisting with locating and taking the suspect into custody. The collaborative effort among agencies ensured a swift and safe resolution for all involved.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: Detective Lieutenant Jason Jones #375
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DATE OF RELEASE: January 12, 2026
*Note: Charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
**PRESS RELEASE** Residential Burglary Arrest from 1/9/2026 - issued by Det. Lt. J. Jones # 375
WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT
20 Municipal Drive * P.O. Box 38
West Windsor, New Jersey 08550
ROBERT GAROFALO PhD(c), Chief of Police
PRESS RELEASE
INCIDENT: 2026-709 - Residential Burglary / Criminal Mischief Arrest20 Municipal Drive * P.O. Box 38
West Windsor, New Jersey 08550
ROBERT GAROFALO PhD(c), Chief of Police
PRESS RELEASE
DATE & TIME OCCURRED: Friday, January 9, 2026 at 1:12 PM
LOCATION OCCURRED: A residence on South Post Rd.
REPORTING OFFICER: Patrolman A. Dogostiano #5126
PRIMARY INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Detective Peter Buchanan #5109
OFFICERS INVOLVED: 1) West Windsor Twp. Patrol Officers
2) West Windsor Twp. Investigations Unit
3) West Windsor Twp. Communications
4) Ret. Deputy Chief J. Stoddard – South Brunswick PD
5) Officer D. Stoddard – South Brunswick PD (Off-Duty)
6) Robbinsville Twp. Police Dept.
7) Mercer County Special Investigations Unit
8) Trenton Police Department
9) Mercer County Sheriff’s Office
10) Mercer County Tactical Response Team
11) New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit
ARRESTED: 1) Miguel A. Vargas - 37 y/o resident of Trenton, NJ
DETAILS:
On Friday, January 9, 2025 at approximately 1:12 pm, the West Windsor Twp. Police Department Communications center received a 9-1-1 call and dispatched patrol officers to a report of a residential burglary in progress on South Post Rd. The resident received an alert indicating his burglary alarm (glass break) was activated at which time he requested his neighbor, a retired South Brunswick Deputy Chief, to check the perimeter of his home. Ret. Deputy Chief J. Stoddard and his son, Officer D. Stoddard, a current South Brunswick Police Officer that was off duty at the time, conducted a check of the residence and observed that a rear bedroom window had been broken. Ret. Deputy Chief Stoddard called 9-1-1 and while awaiting patrol’s arrival, they observed the suspect exiting the residence from the broken window.
The suspect was instructed to stop by Officer Stoddard at which time a foot pursuit was initiated. The suspect ran into Mercer County Park and entered a 2007 Silver Hyundai Santa Fe that was parked in a lot near the soccer fields.
Officer Stoddard captured a photo of the suspect and vehicle to include the vehicle’s license plate and provided that to responding officers. The suspect fled by driving onto the soccer fields through the park and onto Old Trenton Rd. Patrol officers arrived and it was believed the suspect vehicle fled into Robbinsville Twp. A bulletin was issued and Robbinsville Officers located the vehicle on US Route 130 South where they attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop, however the vehicle fled onto 195 west.
Subsequent investigation revealed that the registered owner of the vehicle resided on Monmouth St. in Trenton. Officers were requested to assist and units from the Mercer County Special Investigations Unit, the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression Unit, Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department all responded in some capacity to assist. Undercover officers observed the suspect vehicle pull into the driveway of the residence and observed an individual matching the suspect exit the driver’s door and proceed to enter the front door of the residence. West Windsor Detectives along with Officers from the Trenton Police Department and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office maintained a perimeter around the residence for approximately 4 hours before the suspect exited the residence and turned himself in. Miguel A. Vargas was taken into custody and a search warrant was executed on the residence with the assistance of the Mercer County Tactical Response team. A search revealed evidence of the burglary as well as possible proceeds from an unrelated burglary.
Vargas was charged with Burglary (2nd degree) and Criminal Mischief (3rd degree). The West Windsor Police Department wishes to thank all of the agencies involved in assisting with locating and taking the suspect into custody. The collaborative effort among agencies ensured a swift and safe resolution for all involved.
OFFICER PREPARING RELEASE: Detective Lieutenant Jason Jones #375
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DATE OF RELEASE: January 12, 2026
*Note: Charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
Address/Location
West Windsor Police Department, NJ
271 Clarksville Rd
West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 609-799-1222
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