3 Burglaries Of Cranford Businesses Lead To Arrest Of Union Co. Man: Police

CRANFORD, NJ — Following an investigation of three separate burglaries of local businesses, Cranford Police arrested an Elizabeth man on Thursday, according to an announcement from the Department.

Antoni Kuhl, 52, was charged with three counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree theft and three counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief in connection with the business break-ins and thefts, according to Cranford Police.

The first burglary occurred on May 4, at around 12:25 a.m., when police found a business on the 400 block of South Avenue East had a smashed window, indicating that someone had entered into the retail section of the store.

A short while later, at around 12:41 a.m., Officer Christopher Gross was patrolling the business district on Raritan Road when he discovered another burglarized convenience store on Raritan Road.

As police investigated these two burglaries, officers were notified of a third burglary at approximately 1:40 a.m. on the 400 block of North Avenue East. Once again, officers observed that the front glass door was broken and confirmed that this business had also been burglarized.

Surveillance footage at these businesses captured a red Mitsubishi occupied by a heavyset male suspect with short hair at the burglary locations, according to police.

Detective D'Agostino determined that over the past three months, several Union County agencies had reports of "smash and grab" burglaries to convenience stores and gas stations — specifically in Roselle, Linden, Elizabeth, Westfield, Roselle Park and Rahway.

These towns had all broadcasted bulletins depicting a heavy-set man with a "buzz cut" wearing glasses at the scene of the burglaries. Working with surrounding agencies, D'Agostino was able to identify Kuhl who was then arrested by Elizabeth Police officers.

Kuhl was detained while awaiting a superior court appearance hearing. In addition, Kuhl was held on pending burglary charges out of Linden, Rahway, Roselle Park, Westfield and Elizabeth.

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