Crime Stoppers Offers Reward In Vandalism Incidents

By John Patten

After more than 20 mailboxes were damaged in Warren early on Aug. 1, police and Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano are seeking help from the public.

They've enlisted Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, which is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to those responsible for the damage.

The incidents on Aug. 1 followed a series of incidents in Warren and nearby areas in Somerset and Morris counties that total more than $10,000 in damage and began in May.

Warren Township Chief of Police Russell Leffert said the latest incidents occurred on Fernwood Road, Tina Lane, Tanglewood Drive, Nase Court, Oakwood Path, Friar Tuck Lane, Olsen and Sandalwood drives.

Police have also been investigating similar incidents reported between May 31 and June 2 on Strawberry Lane, Lenape Trail, Heritage Drive, Casale Drive South and Mattben Drive.

Also, mailboxes on Strawberry Lane, Tanglewood Drive, Briarwood Drive, Mountain Trail, Angus Lane, Pinewood Lane, Woods Road, Woodland Drive and Sneider Lane were reported damaged between June 15 and June 16, as well as incidents on Raspberry Trail reported July 4.

All of the incidents are believed to have occurred between midnight and 4 a.m.

Anyone with information about any of the incidents should contact Crime Stoppers, either through the Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477, or the prosecutor's office website or 888577tips.org.