Little Silver police are investigating a pair of home burglaries over the weekend, as well as a third incident in which a stolen ladder was dropped by a thief after a dog started barking.
Chief Dan Shaffery tells redbankgreen the three incidents are believed to involve the same perpetrator.
According to Shaffery, an unoccupied home under renovation on Parker Avenue and a home on Silverside Avenue at which the homeowner was asleep were forcibly entered late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.
The Silverside Avenue homeowner was unaware that an intruder was in her home. The burglar made off with jewelry from both break-ins, Shaffery said.
In addition, police received a call at 1:30 a.m. from a Daniel Drive resident who reported seeing a man with a ladder on neighbor’s property.
The barking of a dog is believed to have scared off the suspect, who dropped the ladder fled, Shaffery said. Police discovered the 16-foot aluminum extension ladder had been taken from a home on the opposite side of the street, he said.
Both of the homes that were broken into were entered at the first floor, he said.
Investigators believe the same person was responsible in all cases, in part because of the proximity of the reported crimes as well as other evidence, Shaffery said.
Police are asking residents to contact them immediately at 732-747-5900 if they observe anything suspicious. including unrecognized vehicles parked in the roadway and unfamiliar individuals on neighboring properties.
