Retail Stores on Alert About Overnight Burglaries

The Bridgewater Township Police Department is warning small retail stores about a rash of overnight burglaries at businesses around the township.

According to police, the suspects have been either forcing their way through the front doors or smashing through windows. Once inside, police said, they have been targeting cash registers and safes, which they then break open or steal.

Police said cigarettes are also being targeted in the burglaries.

Bridgewater Police Det. Sgt. Luke Daley said there were four business hit in a period from March through July. Among the businesses were Bagelsmith, on Prince Rodgers Avenue, and Benny's Kitchen, on Washington Valley Road.

"We have our suspicions about the incidents," Daley said, adding that the police believe the four are connected.

In addition, Daley said, two office complexes off Rte. 202/206 were burglarized in the past about three weeks, with a laptop computer and money stolen.

"But we are not connecting that with the other incidents," he said.

And to help businesses dealing with the burglaries, and prevent others from occurring, Daley said detectives have visited several retail properties to provide fliers about protecting themselves.

"We are trying to tell them how they can minimize becoming a victim," he said.

Bridgewater Township Police Chief Richard Borden said that sending out information about the burglaries around the township is a specific form of community policing that allows commercial business owners to help each other find persecutors.

"The passing out of flyers essentially recruits residents and business owners to interact and work with the police to be proactive in protecting their own properties," he said.

In the flyer, police share several tips for caring for individual businesses. First, police said, storeowners should check their video surveillance systems and ensure they are functioning properly.

Often, police said, they respond to crime scenes where the surveillance cameras were not working because of faulty equipment or a video that ran out of tape. 

Police also said business owners should keep cash out of registers and off the premises, if possible.

Daley said storeowners should register their alarm systems with the police department as well to ensure that they know who to contact in case of an emergency.

In addition to protecting from store burglaries, Daley said, residents need to protect themselves in the cases of vehicular and other burglaries. Too often, he said, residents leave valuable equipment in their vehicles, like computers and GPS units, but do not lock the car doors.

"You have to look out for your possessions," he said. "We are no longer in a society where you can (leave items in an unlocked car)."

Daley said people often neglect to contact the police right after they notice a burglary, but instead drive their cars around or try to clean their homes from the invasion. In doing so, he said, people can eliminate evidence that would help police solve the crimes.

"They should have called us right away," he said.

For the most part, Daley said, the police are just trying to give out information about the incidents in an effort to help residents and business owners know how to protect themselves from becoming victims of any kind of criminal activity. He said people are very thankful for the tips and usually take them seriously.

"We are here to work for the people," he said. "We are showing them how to minimize their chances of becoming a victim." 

Those with information about the recent store burglaries should contact the Bridgewater Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau at 908-722-4111, ext. 4016.