SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ – Three men have been arrested in connection with two residential burglaries that occurred in Franklin Township and Hillsborough Township in October 2024, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, at approximately 9:52 p.m., officers from the Franklin Township Police Department responded to a report of a residential burglary to a residence located on Second Street in Franklin Township. Upon their arrival, it was determined that entry was made to the residence through a broken window on the second floor. Video surveillance depicted a vehicle in the nearby area at the time of the burglary. The residents reported jewelry, coinage, and artwork taken from the residence.
Then on Friday, October 25, 2024, at approximately 8:19 p.m. officers from the Hillsborough Township Police Department responded to a report of a residential burglary to a residence located on Brennan Way in Hillsborough. Upon their arrival, officers observed broken glass in the second-floor rear window of the home. Video surveillance depicted two individuals running from the residence and entering a vehicle that appeared to be similar to the vehicle observed in the area during the Franklin Township burglary on October 18, 2024. The homeowners reported jewelry and coinage missing from the residence.
It was determined that the residential burglaries involved the coordination of several individuals and the use of two vehicles. The investigation led to the identification of Rodrigo A. Lopez, 42, of Bridgewater Township, Edison Jimenez-Castro, 35, of Manville Borough, and Andres Moncaleano, 30, of Elizabeth, as individuals allegedly involved in the residential burglaries in Franklin Township and Hillsborough Township.
On Wednesday, February 5, Lopez was arrested without incident in Bridgewater Township, and Jimenez-Castro was arrested in Manville Borough without incident.
Lopez, Jimenez-Castro, and Moncaleano were each charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, second-degree theft, third-degree conspiracy to commit theft, third-degree theft, and two counts of possession of burglary tools.
Additionally, Jimenez-Castro and Moncaleano were charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit theft.
Lopez and Jimenez-Castro were both lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.
Moncaleano was initially unlocated but was arrested without incident in South Brunswick on Tuesday, February 11, by members of the South Brunswick Police Department. He was lodged in Middlesex County Jail pending a court hearing.
Anyone with information regarding these burglaries to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Burglary Unit at (908) 231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
