Cranford Home Burglary Leads To Arrest Of Mercer County Man: Police

CRANFORD, NJ — After a month-long investigation, Cranford Police arrested a Mercer County man in connection with a home burglary that occurred in July.

Robert Griffin, 55, of Ewing was charged with one count of third-degree burglary, one count of third-degree theft and one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief in connection, according to an announcement from Cranford Police on Wednesday.

The burglary took place at a residence on Washington Place on July 9, according to police. After reports that the front door had been damaged, police arrived at the scene and found that several valuables were taken.

According to police, witnesses reported seeing a heavy-set man wearing distinct clothing at the time of the burglary.

Detective Jason D'Agostino used surveillance footage from neighboring premises to confirm the witnesses' description of the man.

Then on July 15, a Penn Road resident told police that a man was walking through backyards and peering into residential windows. Cranford Detective Robert Jordan found this man and identified him as Griffin. Detective D'Agostino later confirmed that Griffin was the same man suspected of the Washington Place burglary on July 9.

Griffin was taken into custody and detained at the Union County Jail awaiting a superior court detention hearing, police said.

Chief Ryan J. Greco commended the actions of investigators and witnesses in this investigation.

“During the pandemic, we saw a decline in residential burglaries as many of our residents worked from home,” Greco said. “As the pandemic winds down, we ask our residents to report anything suspicious to our agency immediately.”

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