A one-month long investigation led to the arrest of a Mercer County man in connection with a July residential burglary occurring within the Township. 

On July 9th, 2022, police were dispatched to a Washington Place residence on the report of damage to the front door.  Subsequently, it was determined that the residence was burglarized and valuables were taken.  During the early stages of the investigation, witnesses reported seeing a heavy-set black male wearing distinct clothing at the scene of the burglary.

Detective Jason D’Agostino of the Detective Bureau began his investigation and was able to use surveillance footage from neighboring premises to confirm witnesses’ description of the suspect male. 

On July 15^th, 2022, a Penn Road resident contacted the Cranford Police Department about a male walking through backyards and peering into residential windows.  Cranford Police Detective Robert Jordan located this individual and was able to identify him as Robert Griffin, 55, of Ewing, New Jersey.  Detective Jason D’Agostino later confirmed that Griffin was the same individual suspected of the Washington Place burglary from July 9^th, 2022.

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office approved charges for Griffin who was subsequently arrested on one count of 3^rd Degree Burglary, one count of 3^rd Degree Theft and one count of 4^th Degree Criminal Mischief.  Griffin was taken into custody and detained at the Union County Jail awaiting a Superior Court Detention hearing.  Chief Ryan J. Greco commended the actions of investigators and witnesses in this investigation.  “During the pandemic, we saw a decline in residential burglaries as many of our residents worked from home,” he said.  “As the pandemic winds down, we ask our residents to report anything suspicious to our agency immediately.”