Pair Arrested After About 12 Vehicles Burglarized

Police have recovered items from up to 12 burglarized vehicles in Lake Shawnee that led to the arrest of two Lake Hopatcong men Friday afternoon. Police investigated the rash of vehicle burglaries that were reported on Friday in Lake Shawnee, Jefferson Township police said.

Joseph Vernieri and Christopher Beyl, both 20, were each charged with conspiracy, burglary and criminal mischief.

Police declined to specify the exact locations of the vehicles that were burglarized. However, they said that they are aware of four vehicle break-ins, with possibly up to 12 vehicles burglarized. 

Several GPS units, cell phones, iPods and loose change were recovered from the vehicles, police said. Jefferson Det. Joseph Kratzel said that property from of least 12 vehicles was found in the possession of the alleged burglars.

"The county has property that is not yet accounted for," Kratzel said. "We think some people don't even realize their car has been broken into yet."

According to Kratzel, residents reported the burglaries and the patrol division and the Morris County K-9 Unit responded to the scene.

”There were witnesses who observed one of the individuals in the area,” Kratzel said. “After questioning, both arrests were made.”

Both were taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $15,000 bail with no 10 percent option, Kratzel said.

Kratzel said that the investigation is ongoing and further arrests are pending.