Throughout April, Hopewell Township and Borough saw a series of thefts and shoplifting cases. Residents reported losses of cash, jewelry, and other items, with several investigations now underway by the Hopewell Township Police Department.
$5K cash and $85K in jewelry stolen from Harbourton-Rocktown residence
On April 18, Officer Landon Zagacki responded to a Harbourton-Rocktown address for a report of theft of jewelry and cash. The victim reported that a sum of $5,000 was missing from the residence. In addition, once the cash was noticed missing, approximately $85,000 in jewelry was found to missing as well. The victim reported that the timeframe for the theft was April 3 to April 18. The investigation is ongoing.
Nearly $900 in hair products stolen from PQM
On April 18 at 3pm, Officer James Klesney responded to the Pennington Quality Market for a reported shoplifting. Officer Klesney met with the owner who stated that $899.70 worth of hair care products were stolen from the store. The shelves on which the products were stocked were empty. Surveillance video is being reviewed to determine further details on when the incident occurred. At this time, the investigation is ongoing.
Quick response thwarts shoplifting spree at PQM
On April 19, at 9:34am Officer Neil Hunt responded to Pennington Quality Market for a reported shoplifting. An unidentified male subject left the store with a cart full of items from the store. Police were alerted to the incident quickly and responded promptly, causing the suspect to flee the parking lot. The cart of items were ultimately left behind by the suspect, recovered by police, and returned. However, the suspect fled the scene and was not located. The investigation is ongoing.
Family of five shoplifts at Stop & Shop
On April 19, Officer Arthur Juba responded to the Stop & Shop for a reported shoplifting. The actual theft occurred on April 16. Loss prevention reported that a family of five entered the store and took $768.98 worth of items from the store without payment. Surveillance video was reviewed and provided to police on the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Caregiver steals cash from resident’s safe
On April 19, Officer Juba responded to a Denow Road address for a reported theft. The victim reported that a caregiver for the victim stole an undisclosed amount of money from a safe in the residence. The victim could not provide an exact amount of cash at this time. Officer Juba is investigating the matter. The investigation is ongoing.
Shoplifting bust at Stop & Shop, one suspect arrested with second still at large
On April 19, officers responded to the Stop & Shop for a reported shoplifting. One suspect was reported to still be in the store and the other had fled. The suspect was found with $347.23 in goods from the store. The suspect(s) are known by loss prevention from previous shopliftings in the area. The individual was arrested on the scene, transported to HTPD for processing, and charged with theft and shoplifting. The individual was lodged at Mercer County Correctional Center. The second subject has yet to be positively identified. The matter will be heard in Municipal Court.
Repeat offender faces serious charges after traffic stop
On April 20, Officer Hunt conducted a motor vehicle stop on a white Ford Mustang on Route 546 near Reed Road. The driver was found to have a suspended driver’s license and was issued a summons and released from the stop after contacting means of transportation. On April 24, Hopewell Township Municipal Court advised Officer Hunt that the driver was suspended due to DUI conviction and this was the driver’s second offense of driving while suspended after DUI conviction. With this information, Officer Hunt charged the driver with driving while suspended (4th-degree crime). The matter will be heard in Municipal Court.
Marcos patron’s car keys vanish
On April 24, Officer Hunt responded to Marcos Pizza for a reported theft. Upon arrival, Officer Hunt spoke with the victim who stated that they went into the pizzeria and left his keys inside of his car. When he returned to his vehicle, the keys were missing. The vehicle was not stolen, but the keys were gone. There were only a few patrons in the restaurant during the incident and no surveillance video is available. The investigation is ongoing.
Vehicle stolen from driveway on Crusher Road
On April 24, Sgt Panzano responded to a Crusher Road address for a reported stolen vehicle from the driveway. The victim reported that between April 23 and April 24 their Honda CRV was stolen from the driveway of the residence. Both key fobs for the vehicle were still in the victim’s possession. Details on potential suspect(s) were provided to police. The investigation is ongoing.
Officer nabs suspected drunk driver on Bear Tavern
On April 26 at 10:41pm, Officer Finnegan responded to the area of Bear Tavern Road for a reported possible drunk driver. Finnegan observed the vehicle and conducted a motor vehicle stop on Bear Tavern Road near Washington Crossing-Pennington Road. After making contact, the driver appeared to show signs of intoxication. The driver was instructed to perform field sobriety tests roadside, at the completion of which, the driver was placed under arrest and transported to HTPD for processing. They were charged with DUI and reckless driving and later released from custody. The matter will be heard in Municipal Court.
Neighborhood vehicle burglaries prompt investigation
On April 27, Officer Stanton responded to residences on Morris Drive and West Shore Drive on reports of vehicle burglaries. In both instances, the vehicles were entered but the vehicles themselves were not stolen. It appeared as though the vehicles were rummaged through and items were taken from inside overnight. The incidents were investigated by officers on the scene and turned over to the Detective Bureau for further investigation.
This information has been provided by the Hopewell Township Police Department.
