7-29-2024 8:49pm

Somerset County Prosecutor Office Multiple Arrests in Connection to Motor Vehicle and Residential Burglaries

Donnella Tilery Editor

SOMERVILLE, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., Bernards Township Chief of Police Jon Burger, Bernardsville Borough Chief of Police John D. Remian, and Green Brook Township Chief of Police William Coward announced the arrests of Rasudi Creighton, age 19, of Newark; Furquan Ahmad, age 20, of Newark; Jashamir Hardiman, age 25, of Newark; Nasir Davis, age 20, of Newark; and a male juvenile, age 15, of Newark in relation to residential and motor vehicle burglaries that occurred in Bernards Township, Bernardsville Borough, and Green Brook Township. Damien Coleman, age 22, of Newark, has also been charged in connection with these burglaries and remains at large.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at approximately 4:37 a.m., suspects gained entry to a residence located on Tuxford Terrace, Bernards Township through a rear sliding window.

A 2023 Mercedes Benz GLE AMG was stolen from the residence. A 2020 Kia Sol, previously reported stolen out of Newark, was left behind at the scene. Bernards Township police officers responded to the scene and detectives from the Bernards Township Police Department investigated the incident.

On Saturday, October 7, 2023, at approximately 4:00 a.m., forced entry was made into a residence on Old Fort Road in Bernardsville. Keys to two vehicles were reported stolen from the residence as well as a 2021 BMW 340i and 2018 BMW 540i. Officers from the Bernardsville Police Department responded to the scene and detectives from Bernardsville Police Department conducted the investigation.

Prosecutor McDonald stated on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at approximately 3:55 a.m., suspects forced entry into a residence located on Blazure Road in Bernardsville and stole two key fobs.

Two vehicles, a 2021 Dodge Charger and a 2024 BMW X6 were then stolen from the residence. The suspects left a 2021 Kia Sportage, which had been reported stolen out of East Orange, behind at the scene. Officers from Bernardsville Police Department responded to the scene and detectives from the Bernardsville Police Department followed up with an investigation. Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Friday, December 1, 2023, at approximately 4:59 a.m., a residence on Deer Path in Green Brook was burglarized.

A handbag, wallet, cash, and keys were stolen from the residence. Officers from Green Brook Township responded to the scene as the burglary was in progress. Upon the officer’s arrival, the suspects fled the area in a 2020 BMW X4 reported stolen out of Denville, eluding the police.

Detectives from Green Brook Township Police conducted an investigation.On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at approximately 2:48 a.m., a residence located on Johnson Circle in Bernards Township was burglarized and a 2023 Audi RSQ8, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, and a 2022 BMW X5M were stolen from the residence. A Kia Sol, which had been reported stolen out of East Orange, was left behind at the scene by the suspects. Officers from the Bernards Township Police Department responded to the scene and detectives from the Bernards Township Police Department investigated the burglary. Prosecutor McDonald stated a joint investigation was conducted by detectives from the Bernards Township Police Department, Bernardsville Township Police Department, Green Brook Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit which led to the identification and arrests of five individuals for this crime spree. Prosecutor McDonald stated on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Rasadi Creighton was charged with 2nd degree Motor Vehicle theft, 3rd degree Burglary, 3rd degree Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, and 3rd degree Participant in an Auto Theft Trafficking network. Defendant Creighton was served with his complaint-warrant while in custody at the Bergen County Jail on another agency’s charges.On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, Furquan Ahmad was arrested and charged with two counts of 2nd degree Theft of a Motor Vehicle, 3rd degree Theft of a Motor Vehicle, 3rd degree Burglary and 3rd degree Participant in an Auto Theft Trafficking network. Defendant Ahmad was served with his complaint-warrant at the Monmouth County Jail while in custody on another agency’s charges. On Thursday, June 27, 2024, Jashamir Hardiman was arrested and charged with two counts of 3rd degree Burglary, two counts of 3rd degree Theft of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of 3rd degree Participant in an Auto Theft Trafficking network and 4th degree Joyriding. Defendant Hardiman was served with his complaint-warrant while in custody in the Bergen County Jail on another agency’s charges.

On Thursday, June 27, 2024, Nasir Davis was arrested and charged with 3rd degree Receiving a stolen motor vehicle and 3rd degree Participant in an Auto Vehicle Theft Trafficking network. Defendant Davis was served with his complaint-warrant at the Monmouth County Jail while in custody for another agency’s charges.On Thursday, July 11, 2024, a juvenile male, age 15 was sent a juvenile delinquency complaint for charges of 3rd degree Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, 3rd degree Theft of a Motor Vehicle, and 3rd degree Participant in an Auto Theft Trafficking network and will be provided with a future court date in this matter.Prosecutor McDonald stated that a sixth defendant, Damien Coleman, has also been charged as part of this investigation. Damien Coleman has been charged with 3rd degree Receiving Stolen Property, and 3rd degree Participant in an Auto Theft Trafficking network. Defendant Damien Coleman remains at large. Authorities ask anyone with any information leading to the whereabouts of defendant Coleman to please contact the Bernardsville Police Department or the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutor McDonald commended the joint investigation and arrests of these defendants by the Bernards Township Police Department, Bernardsville Police Department, Green Brook Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit. Prosecutor McDonald would like to thank detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department and investigators from the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center for their contribution to this investigation. This is an excellent example of collaboration, coordination, and persistence shown by multiple agencies working together to protect the citizens of Somerset County.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, Chief Burger, Chief Remian and Chief Coward request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office at (908) 231-7100, the Bernards Township Police Department at (908) 766-1122, The Bernardsville Borough Police Department at (908) 766-0037 or the Green Brook Police Department at (732) 968-1188 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).

All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.