FTPD Police Blotter 11/05/2023 to 11/18/2023

11/05/2023

A Perth Amboy, NJ resident was the victim of criminal mischief and theft during the overnight hours at a local hotel. The unknown suspect(s) cut the victim’s catalytic converter from underneath his vehicle. The repair was estimated to cost $1,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of criminal mischief during the evening hours in the area of Ralph St. The unknown suspect kicked the victim’s front door. The damage was valued at $1,000.00.

11/06/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft during the overnight hours in the area of Townsend Ct. The key fob was left inside of the vehicle. A few days later, FTPD patrol located the stolen vehicle. Two black males and a juvenile Hispanic female fled from the vehicle. The juvenile female was apprehended following a brief foot pursuit. The male suspects were unable to be located. The juvenile female was charged with obstruction of justice.

A Middletown, PA rental car company was the victim of a motor vehicle theft during the overnight hours in the area of Barron Cir. The rentee believed he may have dropped the key fob outside of the vehicle. His wallet was inside the stolen vehicle, The suspect(s) is unknown.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a theft during the overnight hours in the area of Irvington Ave. The unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s garbage can valued at $75.00.

A business located on Rt. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting during the morning hours. A Hispanic male walked out of the store without paying for merchandise valued at $29.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the morning hours at a local park. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole credit cards and $40.00. The suspect(s) later used the victim’s credit cards at a store located in an outside jurisdiction.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft during the overnight hours in the area of Holland Dr. The vehicle was later recovered in an outside jurisdiction. The suspect(s) is unknown.

An Avenel, NJ resident reported the theft of two trailers from the area of Randolph Rd. The reporting person believed the trailers were stolen on 09/15/23. The total value of the trailers was estimated to be $11,100.00. The suspect(s) is unknown.

11/07/2023

Jose M. Paredes, 42, of New Brunswick, NJ was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of our jurisdiction. Paredes was processed and transported to Somerset County Jail. “NOTE: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

A Mount Tabor, NJ resident was the victim of criminal mischief between 11/5/23 and 11/7/23 in the area of Hamilton St. The unknown suspect(s) cut the soft top to her vehicle. The repair was estimated to be $1,500.00.

11/08/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of criminal mischief during the overnight hours in the area of Reler Ln. The unknown suspect(s) cracked the driver’s side window of the victim’s vehicle resulting in a $192.00 repair.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a theft on 10/18/23 in the area of Hempstead Dr. The unknown suspect(s) stole a delivered package off of the victim’s porch. The contents were valued at $1,608.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of fraudulent activity by an unknown suspect. The victim purchased virus protection for his computer. The victim contacted the alleged customer service number to dispute a charge and provided his bank account number. The suspect removed $7,000.00 out of the victim’s account.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the overnight hours in the area of Gallop Ln. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a tote bag containing a laptop. The laptop was later recovered in an outside jurisdiction.

Terrence T. Rollins, 33, of Somerset, NJ was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of our jurisdiction. Rollins was processed and transported to Somerset County Jail. “NOTE: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

11/10/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of criminal mischief during the overnight hours in the area of Parkside St. The unknown suspect(s) punctured the victim’s tire. The damage was estimated to be $300.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the overnight hours in the area of Topaz Dr. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole loose change.

A business located on Rt. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting during the evening hours. A black male exited the store without paying for merchandise valued at $120.00.

11/11/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the overnight hours in the area of Home St. The unknown suspect(s) smashed the rear window of the victim’s vehicle and rummaged through it. The vehicle’s registration was stolen. The window repair was valued at $1,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the overnight hours in the area of Sapphire Ln. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole credit cards, gift cards, $40.00, and jewelry valued at $5,000.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a theft on 11/08/23. The victim allowed an unknown suspect who purchased a freezer from him to borrow his hand truck. The $50.00 hand truck was never returned.

11/12/2023

A Greenhurst, NY resident was the victim of a theft during the overnight hours at a local hotel. The unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s fishing rods that were left unattended in a ballroom. The poles were valued at $1,150.00.

Justin M. Basantes, 32, of North Brunswick, NJ was arrested for DWI during a motor vehicle crash investigation that occurred in an outside jurisdiction. Basantes was processed and released with a pending court appearance. “NOTE: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

11/13/2023

A Shrewsbury, NJ business was the victim of a burglary between 10/31/23 and 11/13/23 in the area of Davidson Ave. The unknown suspect(s) broke a lock to a construction trailer and stole $14,500.00 worth of tools.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the overnight hours in the area Phillips Rd. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a wallet. The wallet contained identification, credit cards and $170.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft between 11/11/23 and 11/13/23 in the area of Easton Ave. The key fob was left inside the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered a short time later. The suspect(s) is unknown.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary between 11/09/23 and 11/13/23 in the area of Phillips Rd. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole a wallet containing identification and credit cards.

A New Brunswick, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the afternoon hours at a local gas station. The victim was putting air in his tires when a male suspect entered his vehicle and stole the key from the ignition. The key was valued at $150.00.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a burglary during the overnight hours in the area of Phillips Rd. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole $50.00 and Apple Air Pods.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a theft during the evening hours in the area of Prospect St. A male suspect was captured on surveillance stealing a package off of the victim’s porch. The contents were valued at $60.00.

11/14/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft during the overnight hours in the area of Appleman Rd. The key fob was inside the vehicle. The vehicle was recovered a short time later. The suspect(s) is unknown.

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of fraudulent activity. The resident was contacted by a “Carlos Alexander Garcia” who identified himself as the landlord’s supervisor. The victim transferred $2,500.00 to the suspect after he advised her of a sanitation issue in the building. After sending the money the victim realized she was the victim of a scam.

A Bensalem, PA resident was the victim of criminal mischief during the evening hours in the area of Commerce Dr. The unknown suspect(s) damaged the victim’s vehicle window. The damage was estimated at $500.00.

A business located on Rt. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting during the evening hours. A white male exited the store without paying for $177.00 worth of merchandise.

11/15/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of criminal mischief during the overnight hours of 11/09/23 into 11/10/23 in the area of Parkside St. The unknown suspect(s) punctured the victim’s tire resulting in a $300.00 repair.

A business located on Hamilton St. was the victim of criminal mischief during the overnight hours. The unknown suspect(s) spray painted the order board outside of the fast-food restaurant. The damage was estimated to be $500.00.

A business located on Somerset St. was the victim of criminal mischief during the overnight hours. The unknown suspect(s) spray painted the outside of the restaurant. The damage was estimated to be $100.00.

Adnan Anwar, 38, of Somerset, NJ turned himself in on an outstanding warrant out of our jurisdiction. Anwar was processed and transported to Somerset County Jail. “NOTE: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

11/16/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a theft during the overnight hours in the area of Home St. The unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s backyard and stole tools valued at $1,300.00.

John L. Brown, 30, of North Brunswick, NJ was arrested for outstanding warrants during a motor vehicle stop. Brown was processed and turned over to Piscataway PD. “NOTE: We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

11/17/2023

A business located on Hamilton St. was the victim of a shoplifting during the evening hours. A black male and white male exited the store without paying for merchandise. The white male dropped the items when confronted by an employee. The black male fled with $70.00 of unpaid merchandise.

11/18/2023

A Somerset, NJ resident was the victim of a motor vehicle theft during the overnight hours in the area of Meister St. The vehicle was later recovered in an outside jurisdiction. The suspect(s) is unknown.

A business located on Rt. 27 was the victim of a shoplifting on 11/16/23. A black male exited the store without paying for merchandise valued at $289.00.

Car Burglary Prevention Tips:

• Always close your windows, lock your car and remove the keys.
• Lock valuables in the trunk and don't leave personal identification or credit cards in your vehicle.
• Keep your vehicle tidy. Hide electronic cords and loose change.
• Never leave your vehicle running while unattended. (This is a violation of state law).
• Install an anti-theft device that is highly visible, hard to defeat, and disables the starting switch.
• Use an alarm or wheel lock device.
• Photocopy your vehicle registration and insurance papers and keep them in your wallet, not in the glove compartment.
• Park in a well-lighted and heavily traveled area. Be aware of your surroundings.
• Don't hide spare keys in the car.