Berkeley Police Charge Man With Burglarizing Home Under Renovation, Heroin Possession

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP - Berkeley Township detectives have charged a Holiday City man with burglarizing a vacant house and heroin possession, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichael said.

Police responded to a Noranda Street address on April 25 on a report of a burglary. Someone forced entry through a rear window of the home, which was under renovation. Valuable tools and equipment were stolen, the chief said.

Toms River police informed Berkeley detectives on April 26 that one of their second-hand goods stores had the items which were stolen the day before. Berkeley detectives began surveillance on a Togo Road address in the Holiday City South section of Berkeley.

This home was the residence of Eric Wierzbowski, 34. A search warrant was granted in order to find the remaining property taken in the burglary, DiMichele said.

Berkeley detectives then conducted a motor vehicle stop on Mule Road around 9 p.m. which was directly related to the investigation. They found Joseph Davis, 46, of Togo Road inside the van. Davis was in possession of brass knuckles, which are a prohibited weapon. He was taken into custody, the chief said

A short time later Berkeley Detectives executed the search warrant on the Toga Road home. Police found multiple pieces of stolen construction equipment, heroin and drug paraphernalia, the chief said.

Both Wierzbowski and Davis were arrested and transported to police headquarters. Wierzbowski was charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of hypodermic syringes and possession of drug paraphernalia. Wierzbowski was released in accordance with the Bail Reform Act. Davis was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of hypodermic syringes. He was released on a summons.

The investigation was conducted by Berkeley Detectives Michel Tier, Detective Joe Santoro, Detective Michael Riccardelli and Detective Sergeant Peter La Rocca. Detectives were assisted by Patrolman Scott Rudolph, Patrolman Shawn Bowens and Patrolman Ed LaGreca.

Residents are urged to contact police if suspicious activity is occurring in the area. Tips can be reported to the Berkeley Township police by calling 732-341-1132 x 611 or e-mailed to detective@btpdnj.org Tips can remain anonymous.

Image: Patricia A. Miller