Princeton Police Blotter: Vehicle vandalism, thefts, fraud
The Princeton Police Department responded to several incidents last week, including a vehicle vandalism complaint and the theft of an Apple Watch.
Officers responded to Nassau Street on May 1 after a resident reported that an unknown person had scratched the entire length of a vehicle sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The criminal mischief case remains under investigation.
A person reported that an Apple Watch was stolen sometime between April 28 and May 2 in the Nassau Street area. Police described the incident as a “theft of mislaid property.” The investigation is ongoing.
On May 2 at about 11:18 p.m., officers stopped a driver on John Street after observing a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on a one-way street. Police said the driver was found to be driving while intoxicated. He was arrested, transported to police headquarters, charged with driving while intoxicated and several additional motor vehicle violations, and later released pending a court appearance.
Earlier that week, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop on Nassau Street at about 2:13 a.m. on May 1 for failure to maintain a lane. Police said the 46-year-old Lawrenceville woman had an active $750 warrant issued by Princeton Municipal Court. She was arrested, processed at police headquarters, posted bail, and was released.
Police also reported that a 28-year-old Spotswood man who is a Lyft driver allegedly involved in two luring incidents on the Princeton University campus, walked into police headquarters on April 30 and turned himself in on an active warrant issued through Princeton Municipal Court and the Princeton University Department of Public Safety. After being arrested and searched, Wynter was transferred to the Princeton University Department of Public Safety.
The previous week, a Princeton resident reported approximately $30,000 worth of jewelry stolen from a rental property on Hunt Drive while preparing to move into a permanent residence. The victim told police the theft occurred after a moving company packed and transported belongings. Because there were no signs of forced entry, the victim believes the suspects may have been employed by the moving company, according to police.
Police are also investigating a theft by deception case involving a fraudulent rent payment. A complainant reported that an unknown person compromised an email account associated with a property management company and provided false banking information for a rent payment totaling $8,110. The fraud was discovered after the intended recipient reported the payment had not been received.
On Prospect Avenue, residents reported that cash, a passport, and two checkbooks were stolen from a home after several moving and work crews had been inside the residence. The reported loss included $2,000 in cash and checkbooks containing about 50 checks each. No signs of forced entry were reported.
Police also investigated the reported theft of a Beretta 9mm handgun from a locked box inside a vehicle trunk. The owner told officers the vehicle had been serviced at a business on State Road during the time the firearm disappeared. Police said there were no signs of forced entry.
Police arrested a 34-year-old Princeton woman on April 21 on an outstanding warrant from Evesham Township Municipal Court following a motor vehicle stop on Spruce Street. Police said the woman posted $750 bail and was released.
