THE
HUNTERDON COUNTY NEWS |
TITLE: HUNTERDON PROSECUTOR BUSTS SNATCH AND GRAB GROUP THAT SNAGGED 150K worth of gear
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 09:15:08
The Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and the Flemington Borough Police Department announced the arrests of several persons involved in a multi-state “smash and grab” burglary ring. Hunterdon authorities initially became involved in this investigation as a result of three burglaries that occurred at Liberty Village, Flemington Boro, during the month of December, 2007. Two of the burglaries were committed at the Michael Kors Outlet Store and one was at the Ralph Lauren Polo Outlet Store, both of which are located in the Liberty Village Premium Outlet Center in Flemington NJ. The estimated amount of the total theft at these locations is in excess of $30,000 dollars. The total amount of the theft in all jurisdictions is estimated to be in excess of $150,000 dollars.
Information obtained from other law enforcement agencies determined numerous other burglaries that contained similarities to the ones in Flemington Boro. As a result of this information a multi-state investigative team was formed involving detectives from the below listed law enforcement agencies.
Ø Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office
Ø Flemington Boro Police Department
Ø Jackson Township Police Department
Ø Ocean County Prosecutors Office
Ø Lower Merion Police Department
Ø Bensalem Police Department
Ø Delaware State Police
On January 8th, 2007, the below listed persons were charged with committing retail burglaries throughout the above named jurisdictions:
Ø Timothy A. Hood, 35 yr old male/ Philadelphia Pa., 12 counts total, involving
Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of Burglary Tools, crimes of the Third and Fourth Degree.
Ø Krystal J. Coles, 22 yr old, female/ Philadelphia Pa., 4 counts total, of Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief and Possession of Burglary Tools, crimes of the Third and Fourth Degree.
Ø Latisha Bethea, 29yr old, female/Philadelphia, Pa., 4 counts total, of Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief and Possession of Burglary Tools, crimes of the Third and Fourth Degree.
Both Hood and Coles are currently incarcerated on charges in Pennsylvania and face potential extradition to New Jersey. Bethea has been charged by authorities, but has not yet been located and processed. The matter remains under investigation and additional arrests are possible
An arrest is merely an accusation and the defendants are assumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.
Any further questions please contact:
Detective Bill Svard, Flemington Boro Police Department (908) 782-3434
Deputy Chief Dan Hurley, Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office (908) 788-1491