SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – Two men have been charged in connection with several gas station burglaries that occurred in May along the Route 22 corridor in Somerset County, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
On Thursday, May 2, at around 3:16 a.m., an individual wearing a hoodie, face mask and gloves broke the glass in the front door of a gas station store located on Route 22 in Somerville to gain entry. Upon gaining entry to the store, the individual stole numerous vape products before fleeing the area, McDonald said.
Then on Saturday, May 4, at around 1:10 a.m., the same gas station store located on Route 22 in Somerville was broken into. An individual broke the lower glass portion of the front door to enter the store. Upon entering the store, the individual stole the same vape items that were stolen on May 2, 2024, before fleeing the area, McDonald said.
On Thursday, May 9, at around 1:36 a.m., an individual broke into a different gas station store located on Route 22 in Somerville, New Jersey. The individual gained entry by breaking glass in the front door then stealing various vape products before fleeing the area, McDonald said.
Then on Monday, May 13, at around 2:30 a.m., while on routine patrol, officers from the North Plainfield Police Department observed an individual, wearing a dark hoodie, a face mask and gloves attempting to pull the handle of the door to a closed convenience store of a gas station located on Route 22 in North Plainfield, McDonald said.
Officers identified this individual as Macario Wilchez, 20, of South Plainfield who was in possession of a small hatchet at the time of contact with the officers. He then departed the area pending further investigation, McDonald said.
Also, on Monday, May 13, at around 4:06 a.m., an individual wearing a dark hoodie, face mask and gloves matching the clothing worn by Wilchez a short time earlier in North Plainfield, entered the front door of a gas station store located on Route 22 in Greenbrook by breaking the glass. Upon entry, the individual stole various vape products as well as the cash from the cash register, McDonald said.
Wilchez was arrested on May 31 without incident in Westampton Township, NJ and charged with four counts of third-degree burglary, four counts of third-degree theft by unlawful taking, four counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, third-degree attempted burglary and third-degree possession of a weapon. He was then released pending a court appearance, McDonald said.
Rafael Maisonet, 18, of South Plainfield was arrested on June 6 in South Plainfield without incident and charged with two counts of third-degree, theft by unlawful taking and two counts of third-degree conspiracy to commit burglary. He was identified as the driver involved in the burglaries along with Wilchez. Maisonet was then released pending a court appearance, McDonald said.
