Five arrested, one wanted in connection to residential, motor vehicle burglaries in Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – The Somerset County prosecutor’s Office has arrested five people and is still looking for another person in connection to residential and motor vehicle burglaries.

On Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at around 4:37 a.m., suspects gained entry to a residence located on Tuxford Terrace in Bernards Township through a rear sliding window. A 2023 Mercedes Benz GLE AMG was stolen from the residence. A 2020 Kia Sol, previously reported stolen out of Newark, was left behind at the scene, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Then on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at around 4:00 a.m., forced entry was made into a residence on Old Fort Road in Bernardsville. Keys to two vehicles were reported stolen from the residence as well as a 2021 BMW 340i and 2018 BMW 540i, McDonald said.

On Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at around 3:55 a.m., suspects forced entry into a residence located on Blazure Road in Bernardsville and stole two key fobs. Two vehicles, a 2021 Dodge Charger and a 2024 BMW X6 were then stolen from the residence. The suspects left a 2021 Kia Sportage, which had been reported stolen out of East Orange, behind at the scene, McDonald said.

The next incident happened on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, at around 4:59 a.m., a residence on Deer Path in Green Brook was burglarized. A handbag, wallet, cash, and keys were stolen from the residence. Officers from Green Brook Township responded to the scene as the burglary was in progress. Upon the officer’s arrival, the suspects fled the area in a 2020 BMW X4 reported stolen out of Denville Township eluding the police, McDonald said.

Then on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at around 2:48 a.m., a residence located on Johnson Circle in Bernards Township was burglarized and a 2023 Audi RSQ8, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, and a 2022 BMW X5M were stolen from the residence. A Kia Sol, which had been reported stolen out of East Orange, was left behind at the scene by the suspects, McDonald said.

A joint investigation conducted by detectives from the Bernards Township Police Department, Bernardsville Township Police Department, Green Brook Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit led to the arrest of Rasudi Creighton, 19; Furquan Ahmad, 20; Jashamir Hardiman, 25; Nasir Davis, 20; and a 15-year-old male all of Newark, McDonald said.

Creighton was charged on June 19 with second-degree motor vehicle theft, third-degree burglary, third-degree burglary of a motor vehicle, and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network. He was being held in the Bergen County Jail on unrelated charges at the time, McDonald said.

Ahmad was arrested and charged on June 19 with two counts of second-degree theft of a motor vehicle, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, third-degree burglary and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network. He was being held in the Monmouth County Jail on unrelated charges at the time, McDonald said.

Hardiman was arrested and charged on June 27 with two counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network and fourth-degree joyriding. He was being held in the Bergen County Jail on unrelated charges at the time, McDonald said.

Davis was arrested and charged on June 27 with third-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle and third-degree participant in an auto vehicle theft trafficking network. He was being held in the Monmouth County Jail on unrelated charges at the time, McDonald said.

On July 11, the 15-year-old was sent a juvenile delinquency complaint for charges of third-degree burglary of a motor vehicle, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network and will be provided with a future court date, McDonald said.

Damien Coleman, 22, of Newark has been charged with third-degree receiving stolen property, and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network. He still remains at large, McDonald said.

Authorities ask anyone with information leading to the whereabouts of Coleman is asked to contact the Bernardsville Police Department at 908-766-0037 or the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100.