2 Men Wanted For Breaking Into Princeton Car

PRINCETON, NJ — Two men are wanted for breaking into a car in Princeton last week.

On Jan. 9 at 5:23 a.m., Princeton Police responded to a home on Province Line Road for a report of two unknown men breaking into a resident’s vehicle.

The suspects fled before officers arrived.

The homeowner reported the suspects broke into his wife’s vehicle and stole a pocketbook containing multiple credit/debit cards, a set of vehicle keys/key fob, and assorted valuables, including designer handbags and a Canada Goose jacket (total value reported in the thousands).

The first suspect is described as an unknown man wearing a puffer jacket, sweatpants, and a ski mask. The second suspect is described as an unknown man wearing a zip-up hoodie, reflective shoes, and a ski mask.

The victim reported unauthorized purchases were made using stolen cards, including a reported transaction of $61.46 at a Lukoil in Belleville. This investigation is ongoing.

Other Princeton Police blotter items:

On Jan. 5 at 11:50 p.m.: Patrols responded to the area of Rosedale Road and Christopher Drive for a report of copper wire theft and damage to roadside utility poles. The reporting party advised that a technician discovered cut wires and missing copper from multiple poles on Jan. 3. The reporting party estimated around 600 feet of 1,200-pair copperwire was stolen (estimated value $2,320), with an additional $3,200 in labor costs to repair the damage. This investigation is ongoing.

On Jan. 7 at 8:22 p.m.: Princeton Police took a telephonic report from the victim on Battle Road regarding a past-tense theft of his wallet and the fraudulent use of his credit card. The victim reported he last recalled having his wallet on Jan. 2 before leaving his home. He was unsure exactly how the wallet was taken, but believed it may have been removed from his coat pocket or possibly from his vehicle while it was parked. The victim reported the stolen wallet contained his NJ driver’s license, multiple bank/credit cards, gift cards, and blank personal checks. He later discovered fraudulent activity on his United Chase Explorer Visa, including a pending eBay transaction for $23.91 and a successful eBay transaction for $71.10, resulting in a reported loss of $71.10.

On Jan. 11 at 4:04 p.m.: Princeton Police took custody of Desmond Gilchrist, 42, of Trenton after he was arrested by the Ewing Township Police Department on an active Princeton Municipal Court complaint-warrant for a prior theft investigation. The warrant stemmed from an incident on Aug. 24, 2025, in which the victim reported his bicycle, valued at around $1,200 was stolen while left unattended outside of a restaurant on Witherspoon Street. The victim later located and recovered the bicycle. Gilchrist was taken to Princeton Police custody, processed, and the victim was notified. Gilchrist was subsequently taken to the Mercer County Correctional Center, where he was lodged pending court.

On Jan. 11 at 9:23 p.m.: Princeton Police responded to the area of Rosedale Road and Lambert Drive for a report of a past-tense theft involving utility lines. A utility associate reported that around 200 feet of copper wire and 200 feet of fiber optic wire were cut from utility poles in the area, likely occurring during the afternoon hours. The wires appeared to have been cut with a tool consistent with bolt cutters, and portions of the discarded jacketing/shielding were located nearby. The estimated value of the stolen wire was around $6,400. There are no suspects at this time.

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