Residents in the Trenton neighborhood want more of a police presence
TRENTON -- Residents in Trenton's Glen Afton neighborhood want police to step up patrols on their streets after a string of break-ins over the last week.
A file photo of a Trenton police car "I realize they can't be everywhere at once, but with more of a police presence, these things would be avoided," said Justin Tibbetts, president of the Glen Afton Community Association.
The first incident occurred March 23 sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the 100 block of Sanhican Drive, police Lt. Stephen Varn said. The resident came home to find a rear door had been forced open and jewelry was strewn about.
The following day, a man broke into an Abernathy Avenue home where two brothers, ages 11 and 14, were home alone. They hid in a bathroom when they saw someone kicking in the back door. One of the boys stuck his head out as the suspect was walking up the stairs, causing him to run out of the house.
Early Monday just before 4 a.m., someone tried to break into the back door of a home on the 100 block of Morningside Drive. There was no entry made and no property damaged, Varn said.
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Physical evidence was found at one of the homes and the incidents remain under investigation by the department's Criminal Investigation Bureau, he said.
"The information has been distributed to patrol officers," Varn said. "They are aware of what's going on in the area and it is being addressed accordingly."
Varn added that he spoke with Tibbets Monday afternoon to fill him in on the details.
Following a similar spate of break-ins in December, Tibbets reached out to police. Capt. Edelmiro Gonzalez, the department's chief of staff, replied that they were "aware of the recent activity" and said the patrol and area commanders would "ensure that officers provide extra attention to your area."
"They did for two days, but that was the last we saw of them," Tibbets said, adding that he hopes police would become more proactive rather than reactive.
Anyone with information on the recent incidents is asked to contact Detective Kevin Starkey at 609-989-4144, Detective Sgt. Darren Zappley at 609-989-4152 or an on-duty officer at 609-989-4155.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.