BERKELEY – A young man living in a senior community was charged with stealing tools and selling them to a second hand store, police said.
The first part of the case began on April 25, when a suspect forced his way into a rear window of a Noranda Street home, police said. It was under renovation at the time. Tools and equipment were stolen.
The next day, Toms River police notified Berkeley police that a second hand goods store was in possession of items stolen the previous day. The items were taken back to the owner, and the police were able to get information about the suspect.
With this information about the suspect, Berkeley detectives surveilled a Togo Road address in the Holiday City South section of town. With a search warrant, they searched the home of Eric Wierzbowski, 34.
The search of the home found multiple pieces of stolen construction equipment, as well as suspected heroin and paraphernalia.
The police also pulled over a van driven by Joseph Davis, 46, of Togo Road. He was found to be in possession of a prohibited weapon, brass knuckles, and was taken into custody.
Wierzbowski was charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of hypodermic syringes and other paraphernalia. He was released in accordance with the Bail Reform Act.
Davis was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of hypodermic syringes. He was released on a summons.
The police credited the work of detectives Michael Tier, Joe Santoro, Micheal Riccardelli, and Detective Sgt. Peter La Rocca, as well as Officers Scott Rudolph, Shawn Bowens and Ed LaGreca.
Residents are urged to contact police if they see anything suspicious. Tips can be given anonymously at 732-341-1132 ext. 611 or at detective@btpdnj.org.
