Burglar Found With Stolen Items From Watchung Home, Charged: Prosecutor

WATCHUNG, NJ — An Irvington man was charged with burglary after police found items stolen from Watchung inside his home, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Randolph C. McLeod, 42, of Lenox Avenue, Irvington, was charged with second-degree possession of a handgun without obtaining a permit, third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, disorderly persons criminal mischief, and disorderly persons possession of burglary tools.

On Tuesday, Dec. 6 at around 1:26 a.m., Watchung Borough Police were called to a home on Johnston Drive for a reported residential burglary. Officers saw evidence of forced entry at the home and learned that the victim came home to numerous items missing from a safe inside the home, said McDonald.

Detectives from the Watchung Police Department responded to investigate along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

An investigation, by detectives from the Watchung Police and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, found that McLeod was a suspect.

That same day a search warrant was conducted on McLeod’s home and vehicle in which proceeds from the residential burglary were found.

On Dec. 6, McLeod was arrested. McLeod was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes/Burglary Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Watchung Borough Police Department at 908-756-3663 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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