Date: January 2020
Incident location(s): Knoll Run Blackwood / 500 block of Hobart Dr. Laurel Springs
Case Number: 19-53669 / 20-4785 / 20-4792 / 20-4791 / 20-4793
Investigating Detective: Det. Eric Marconi #232
On 1/29/20, at approximately 1253 AM, Gloucester Township Police patrol officers and detectives were conducting a plainclothes surveillance stakeout operation in reference to series of unsecured vehicle burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. This car thief was preying on Gloucester Township resident’s unlocked vehicles.
Thanks to multiple vigilant neighbors and the Gloucester Township Police Department’s partnership with Ring Neighbor’s Application, detectives developed a suspect and immediately began conducting pro-active police operations to deter and capture this thief’s activity.
Plainclothes officers during the stakeout located the thief, identified as Justin Hill of Vineland, breaking in to several unsecured vehicles in the townhome community of Knoll Run Blackwood. During surveillance, Hill entered a silver Ford Focus, reported stolen out of Mays Landing NJ and left the development. Stakeout officers notified nearby marked patrol units and attempted to stop Hill driving the stolen vehicle. Hill fled and eluded police traveling down a one way street at a high rate of speed and completely disregarded a red traffic signal.
Police located the stolen vehicle unoccupied on S. Venetia Ave. in Blenheim Gloucester Township. Hill fled on foot into a heavily wooded area and a perimeter was established. New Jersey State Police Air Unit assisted and Gloucester Township Police K-9 Team was deployed on a track. After several hours, Hill was not located.
Justin Hill was arrested by the Gloucester Township Police on 1/30/20 with the assistance of the Vineland Police Department. Hill was charged with several counts of Credit Card Theft (3rd/4th degree), Receiving Stolen Property (35d degree), Eluding Police (2nd Degree), Burglary (3rd degree), and two (2) counts of Criminal Attempt Burglary (3rd degree). Hill was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a Central First Appearance in accordance with the New Jersey Criminal Reform Act.
Arrest: Justin Hill 25 YOA 700 block of E. Sherman Ave. Vineland NJ 08361
The arrest of this individual is another example of the pro-active law enforcement campaigns targeting these thieves who believe they can prey on the busy lifestyles of our residents. Thieves may think they can continue this easy criminal activity, but eventually WE will find and ARREST you. The Gloucester Township Police Department will continue to attack criminal activity with new and innovative police strategies, local police partnerships, and most importantly the partnerships with our community. Now, there is one less person out there attempting to steal from our residents.
Gloucester Township police are providing tips on how to prevent car burglaries. A vast majority of burglaries happen to unlocked cars, so police remind residents to lock their car doors.
- Don’t leave valuables in plain sight. Offenders will look into the vehicle first to see if it is worth breaking into;
- Park in a well-lit area in the evening hours;
- If you park in your garage, make sure you lock your garage; and
- Call Gloucester Township Police if you see anyone suspicious in the area. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Residents can contact our twenty four (24) hour Community Policing Dispatch Center at 856-228-4500 or simply call 911.
To sign up for the free Neighbors app click on the attached link: https://shop.ring.com/pages/neighbors
Date of Media Release: 1-30-2020
Police Cases: 19-53669 / 20-4785 / 204792 / 20-4791 / 20-4793
Media Release By: Lt. James Schriver #141 | 1-30-20 Police Stakeout Leads to the Arrest of Nighttime Serial Car Bandit
