Car Burglary Spree Continues, Arrest Made

Continuing what Bernards Township Police Lt. Edward Reese called a "rash of car burglaries" this summer, three more cars were found burglarized in Bernards Township Monday morning, according to a Bernards Township Police report issued on Tuesday, July 27.

A Bernards Drive resident reported that three vehicles parked in a driveway were burglarized overnight between 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25 and 6:20 a.m. on Monday, July 26. Bernards police reported a Blackberry charger, two Garmin GPS units and various electronics chargers were taken from the vehicles. The total value of stolen goods was estimated at $890.

The homeowner reported leaving the cars unlocked overnight, according to the police report. Bernards Police officer Alex McKnight reportedly learned while interviewing the crime's victims that a resident in the neighborhood observed a suspicious looking vehicle leaving the area around 5 a.m. on Monday morning.

The resident said he saw a white male hurriedly enter and drive off in a silver, two-door car parked across from his residence. He said that he saw passengers slumped low in their seats as if to stay out of site, and the driver tried to hide his face while pulling out the neighborhood. The car's license plate number was taken down and given to the police by the witness, according to the police report.

Bernards Detective Jon Burger and Detective Tim King identified a suspect based on the information and arrested Christopher Gerdung, 19-years old, at his residence in Bridgewater at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27, according to the police report.

Gerdung was charged with two counts of third degree burglary and was released after posting bail ($5,000, 10 percent option). The police report said that a juvenile male from Morris County was identified as a possible second suspect and further investigation will continue. More suspects will potentially be identified, according to the report.

Lt. Reese said, "Bernards Township has experienced a rash of car burglaries this summer. The Police Department asks that residents report any suspicious or unusual activity that is observed."

"The Police Department would also like to remind resident to lock their car doors," said Reese. "Most of the car burglary activity that has taken place has been at residences where vehicles were left unlocked."

The Bernards Township Police Department can be reached by phone at (908) 766-1122.