Sterling Court Burglaries Under Investigation, Police Say

April 1

Theft from a motor vehicle, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — An $80 purse containing credit cards and $100 cash was stolen from a vehicle while it was parked in front of the ShopRite on Nixon Drive, police said. There was no sign of forced entry to the vehicle, which the owner believed was locked. However, the window was left open slightly for ventilation, according to police.

Burglary/theft (Essex Place) — A resident of the 100 block of Saxony Drive came home after a weekend away and discovered someone had let themselves in through an unlocked front door and stolen a $500 Dell laptop and a $1,000 Lenovo laptop, police said. The victim also discovered an $850 charge to one of her missing credit cards. Police said the theft occurred between 8 a.m. March 29 and 6 p.m. April 1.

April 2

Theft (scam) — Police said a resident of the 4600 block of Adelaide Drive was conned out of $180 after she was contacted by an unidentified man claiming to be a “Peter Ford” who told her she had won $500,000 in the lottery and she needed to send a MoneyPak cash card for $180 to cover fees. She sent the money and never received her alleged winnings. Mount Laurel Police remind residents to never send money up front for “fees” in order to claim alleged lottery winnings.

Theft, 8:12 p.m. — Police said a family dined and dashed on a $56.27 check at Cracker Barrel on Route 73. They were seen leaving in a dark Honda Accord.

April 3

Theft from motor vehicles — A thief entered three unlocked vehicles on the unit block of Michaelson’s Gate and stole items from two, according to police. A Dell laptop and case, valued at $2,600, were stolen from a 2012 Kia Optima, while a Magnavox portable DVD player ($150), Easter presents ($20) and about $1.50 in loose change were stolen from a Honda Civic. A third unlocked vehicle, a Honda CRV, was entered but nothing was taken, police said. One of the victims reported seeing an unknown white male in his 40s, approximately 5 feet 6 inches, with medium build and short brown hair, in the neighborhood during the time of the thefts. The man was wearing a large vest similar to what a fisherman or cameraman would typically wear, according to a report. The thefts occurred overnight between April 2 and 3.

Theft from motor vehicle — Someone entered an unlocked 2002 Chevy Cavalier parked on the 600 block of Orchard Way and emptied the glove box, as well as stealing approximately $3 in loose change, according to police. The theft occurred overnight between April 2 and 3.

Criminal mischief (Tara Estates) — Someone smashed two driveway lights in front of a home on the unit block of Jillian Way, causing an estimated $300 damage, according to police. The incident occurred between 7 p.m. April 2 and 8:30 p.m. April 3.

April 4

Theft, 12:30-8 p.m. — Someone stole a $500 iPhone 4, as well as a $30 wallet, from a locker at the Mount Laurel YMCA, police said. There was no sign of forced entry to the locker and a combination lock the victim had placed on the locker was also not damaged.

April 5

Burglary (Holiday Village) — A burglar broke into a home on the first block of Lillian Court by forcing a window and stole an undetermined amount of coins and jewelry, according to police. The theft occurred between 6:30 a.m. April 1 and 2:58 p.m. April 5.

Burglary (Sterling Court Apartments), 10:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. — Approximately $5,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from a residence on the 100 block of Hastings Way, according to police. The point of entry was not determined.

Burglary (Sterling Court Apartments) — Police said a burglar broke into a residence on the unit block of Hastings Way by forcing the front door and stole more than $600 worth of jewelry and coins. The break-in occurred between 4:15 p.m. April 4 and 6:03 p.m. April 5.

Arrest (DWI), 7:41 p.m. — Police arrested Lucia Polito, 52, of the 200 block of Covered Bridge Boulevard, Manalapan, after she was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Hainesport Road, according to a report. She was charged with driving while intoxicated and released pending a municipal court hearing.

April 6

Arrest (DWI), 2:40 a.m. — Police arrested Amir Hamidi, 21, of the unit block of Watson Drive, after he was stopped on Route 73, according to a report. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and released pending a municipal court hearing.

Arrest (DWI), 4:16 a.m. — Police arrested Tamal Forchion, 29, of the unit block of Sudberry Lane, Willingboro, after he was stopped on Hartford Road, according to a report. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and released pending a municipal court hearing.

Shoplifting, 6:42 a.m. — Someone stole approximately $1,300 worth of merchandise—specifically "beauty products"—from CVS on Route 38, according to police. 

Attempted burglary (Ivy Ridge), 5:45-11:59 p.m. — Police said someone broke into a home on the unit block of Innes Court by pushing open the dining room casement window. The would-be burglar staged several items for removal, police said, but nothing was reported missing. No damage was reported.

April 8

Theft — A trailer valued at $1,000 was stolen from Duall Building Restoration, on the 500 block of Union Mill Road, between April 5 and 8, police said.

Arrest (possession of marijuana) — Police arrested Lonnie D. Fulford, 31, of the 500 block of Gates Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, and Semaj N. Wilmer, 24, of the 300 block of Ashdale Street, Philadelphia, after police responded to their hotel room at the Red Roof Inn on Fellowship Road for an activated fire alarm and found them under the influence of marijuana, according to a report. Wilmer was also charged with possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and drug paraphernalia, police said. They were both served with criminal complaints and released pending a municipal court hearing.

Criminal mischief, 5:30-9:30 p.m. — An aluminum fence on the unit block of Stoney Hill Lane was damaged to the tune of approximately $500, police said.

April 9

Arrest (attempted burglary) — Police arrested Christopher T. Meehan, 25, of the 100 block of Ramblewood Parkway, for attempting to break into a home on the 100 block of Leeds Road, according to a report. Meehan did not gain access to the residence, but damage was estimated at $1,100, police said. He was served with criminal complaints pending a court hearing.

April 10

Arrest (DWI), 1:21 a.m. — Police arrested Steven Dodge, 49, of the 9900 block of Trails End Road, Chanhassen, MN, for driving while intoxicated after he was stopped on Route 73, according to a report. He was released pending a municipal court hearing.

Information provided by Mount Laurel Police. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.