BERKELEY – Police have connected a Bayville man to a series of burglaries which occurred at businesses along Route 9 and a local residence recently.
A collaborative investigation by detectives from Berkeley Township, Lacey Township, Manchester Township, Toms River Township, Beachwood Borough and Ocean Gate Borough, identified 32-year old Christopher Butler as a suspect. Police also identified several vehicles suspected to have been used in these crimes.
On Sept. 15, police responded to a township residence for a report of an intruder in the home.
“The victim was awakened to find the man rummaging through her belongings. The victim confronted the intruder who then assaulted her as he fled the area,” stated Berkeley Police.
The victim was able to gather evidence linking Butler to the robbery and police issued an arrest warrant. However, police were unable to locate Butler immediately.
On Sept. 16, police responded to two commercial burglaries located on Route 9 in the same complex. These burglaries occurred in the middle of the night.
According to police, the businesses were forcibly entered and valuables including money and jewelry were taken. Linking evidence from the crime scene at these burglaries to Christopher Butler, police tacked on additional charges of burglary and theft and criminal mischief against Butler.
On Sept. 16, Lakewood Township Police located and arrested Butler for the outstanding Berkeley Township warrants. He was then turned over to the Berkeley Township Police Department where he was processed and remanded to the Ocean County Jail.
“It should be noted the more charges are likely against Butler as evidence is gathered and processed as he is suspected in multiple burglaries throughout Ocean County,” stated police.
