At the end of May, a couple from Waretown was arrested by police on charges of burglary and theft. The charges stemmed from a break-in that occurred at a home in Forked River. The police report for the break-in states that thousands of dollars' worth of laptops, jewelry and silverware were stolen.

How Police Investigated This Burglary Case

The police report also stated that the homeowner believed the couple entered the house through an unlocked rear window in the living room. Police were able to identify the couple and ultimately arrest them after they sold a stolen silverware set on Craigslist. The man who bought the silverware then listed the set on eBay. During the course of the investigation, police also discovered that the couple had used a blue Ford F-150 to conduct multiple burglaries in New Jersey. After the arrest, one of the individuals was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River and had his bail set at $50,000. Information was not immediately available for the other individual who was arrested.

Burglary Charges in New Jersey

The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice defines robbery in Section 2C:18-2. In addition to covering the conditions under which a burglary charge can be made, this section explains that burglary is a third degree offense. However, this charge can be elevated to the second degree if bodily injury is inflicted or attempted during the crime. Burglary can also be a second degree charge if the individual committing it is armed with or displays what appear to be explosives or a deadly weapon. In New Jersey, third degree crimes can carry a prison sentence of 3 to 5 years, as well as a fine of up to $15,000. For a second degree crime, those amounts increase to 5 to 10 years and up to $150,000.

Consulting with a New Jersey Criminal Attorney

The state of New Jersey takes criminal charges like burglary very seriously. It is also important to choose a lawyer that will take the time to understand the details of a specific case. If you're facing criminal charges in Ocean County, Villani & DeLuca has a team of attorneys who have over 100 years of combined experienced. Criminal cases can move quickly, which is why we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. For a free consultation about the charges you're facing, call us now at 609-389-9470.