Man, 18, charged in Bridgewater home invasion, burglaries in Bernards and Green Brook
SOMERSET COUNTY, N.J. — An 18-year-old Somerset man has been arrested in connection with a home invasion in Bridgewater Township that left a woman injured and two residential burglaries in Bernards and Green Brook townships, authorities announced.
Mohamadu J. Betts, 18, of Somerset, was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Edison following a joint investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Task Force and several local police departments, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
The investigation began with a residential burglary reported Oct. 19 at approximately 9:32 p.m. on Whitenack Road in Basking Ridge. According to authorities, the resident returned home to discover a shattered basement window, possible blood droplets and the home ransacked.
The victim reported that a jewelry box containing costume jewelry had been stolen. Surveillance footage captured a suspect with short blond and brown dreadlocks, authorities said.
Three days later, on Oct. 22, Green Brook Township police responded at approximately 2:21 p.m. to a report of a suspicious man attempting to enter a residence on Warrenville Road. The individual had reportedly been sitting across the street from the home for an extended period before attempting to gain entry.
Authorities described the suspect as wearing a black jacket, dark pants, black sneakers, a motorcycle helmet, a face covering and a bracelet. Officers responding to the initial call were unable to locate him.
At approximately 2:57 p.m., police received another report that the same individual had returned and entered the residence through an unlocked window. The homeowner reported that costume jewelry and $800 in cash had been stolen, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The third incident occurred Oct. 29 at approximately 9:55 a.m., when Bridgewater Township police responded to a 911 call reporting a home invasion at a residence on Chimney Rock Road.
According to authorities, a woman reported being assaulted by an intruder who took her cellphone to prevent her from calling 911. The suspect allegedly stole approximately $2,850 worth of jewelry before fleeing on a dirt bike-style electric bicycle.
The victim sustained a laceration to her wrist and received medical treatment, authorities said.
Investigators noted that the suspect in the Bridgewater incident wore a black helmet, black mask, black-and-gray jacket, black shoes and a bracelet similar to one observed during the Oct. 22 burglary in Green Brook.
A joint investigation involving the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Task Force and police departments in Bernards, Green Brook and Bridgewater townships led authorities to identify Betts as the suspect in all three incidents.
Betts was taken into custody without incident Nov. 4 in Edison with assistance from the Edison Police Department and the departments involved in the investigation, according to prosecutors.
He was charged with first-degree home invasion burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree theft, third-degree criminal mischief and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
Betts was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about these incidents or other potentially related burglaries to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit at 908-231-7100.
Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the STOPit app using access code SOMERSETNJ or by calling the Somerset County Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). The STOPit app allows users to submit information, photographs and videos anonymously.
