Central Jersey man arrested in connection to more than 60 car burglaries

BY Christopher Lang, Correspondent, @topherlang2 | MonroeNow | Aug 15, 2018

A Jamesburg police officer arrested a 26-year-old Helmetta resident in connection to more than 60 car burglaries in multiple towns in central Jersey over the past month on Aug. 14, according to statements released by authorities on Aug. 15.

The alleged suspect Curtis Brown Jr., was spotted by Jamesburg officer Joseph Quinn at 2 a.m. on Aug. 14 while on patrol in the Beaver Brook complex “attempting to break into a car in a neighboring development on Dorene Court in Monroe Township,” according to a report from the South Brunswick Police Department.

Quinn contacted Monroe police, who surrounded the area. Brown was later found hiding in a vehicle in a parking lot, according to police, where he was arrested.

“It was the teamwork from several police departments that captured this suspect,” said South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka in a release. “The suspect may have believed that by going over different township lines he would be able to get away with his crimes, but he was wrong.”

After arresting Brown, detectives from Monroe, Jamesburg and South Brunswick searched a Route 130 motel in South Brunswick where they recovered “numerous stolen items.” Police allege the items were stolen from unlocked vehicles and were linked to several crimes in Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Jamesburg, Monroe and South Brunswick.

Police are also working with other departments to see if any of the recovered items are linked to other open cases.

Police allege that Brown would travel around to different communities to search for unlocked doors. They claim he would “rummage through the unlocked vehicles stealing anything of value.”

The investigation also alleges that many of the stolen items were sold by Brown so he could purchase heroin. Authorities do not believe Brown acted alone.

Brown has been charged with multiple counts of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property. He is currently detained in the Middlesex County Correction Center.

Anyone with information about this investigation can contact South Brunswick detectives Dennis Yuhasz or Brady Shelcusky at 732-329-4000, ext. 7496, Monroe detective Ray Gifford at 732-521-0222, ext. 121 or Jamesburg detective Jason Muller at 732-521-0011.