Youths Accused of Krauszer's Break-Ins Referred to Prosecutor

Bernards Township Police said the cases of three local juveniles arrested for allegedly breaking into Krauszer's Food Store in downtown Liberty Corner on three occasions a week ago have been referred to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office for further disposition.

Any charges would be filed by the prosecutor's office, Police Lt. Michael Voorhees said on Tuesday.

Voorhees said $500 in cash and numerous tobacco products, including "lots of cigars" that had allegedly been taken from the convenience store were recovered.

Voorhees said the juveniles had been arrested a few days following the last reported break-in early Wednesday morning. He said the youths all came to police headquarters with their parents following that date.

The final reported break-in had prompted a state police helicopter search of the Canterbury Way area after an officer allegedly saw someone leaving the area and heading along a pathway to that road.

According to township police reports, the first break-in at Krauszer's took place at about 2 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, when a window was broken on the front door of the store at 21 Church St., setting off an alarm. Police said that packs of cigars apparently had been taken at that time.

Police reported that the alarm was not set the second night, when the opposite side of front door was reportedly forced open again between about 2 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. As of last Thursday, the police report said it was not apparent what was taken at that time.

According to the police report, people were allegedly spotted leaving the scene after the third reported break-in early Wednesday morning, heading on a bicycle along a path leading from behind the Liberty Corner Elementary School to Canterbury Way, off Mount Airy Road.

Police helicopters were reported in that area at about 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

According to the police report, cigars also were taken during the third entry into Krauszer's, and it appeared that cash had been taken from the cash register.

Voorhees said this week that EZ Wider rolling papers also had reportedly been taken from the store.