Lower Police Arrest Three after Burglary in Progress Call

ERMA — On Tuesday, Aug. 24, at approximately 10:40 a.m. Lower Township Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a burglary in progress in the 100 Block of East Miami Avenue in the Villas Section of Lower Township.
The homeowner reported that when he entered his home, two males and a female ran out the back door.
Investigation on scene determined that the actors had forced entry into the building and then placed numerous pieces of property from the house, including firearms, near the back door in preparation of removing them from the property.
A description of the subjects was broadcast to Lower Township Police Units and a short time later, Lower Township Patrol Officer, Chris Lambert, observed several subjects matching the description, walking on Tomlin Avenue in the Villas.
The subjects, described as an adult male and an adult female and a 17-year-old male, were all identified by the homeowner and then arrested without further incident.
Charges or Burglary and Criminal Mischief were filed against Damian M. Asher, age 22 of Manilla, Indiana and Melissa R. Cantrell, age 21 of Shellbeville, Indiana.
Lower Township Municipal Court Judge, David DeWeese, set bail at $15,000 each for Asher and Cantrell, who were both subsequently lodged in the Cape May County Jail in default of bail.
A 17-year-old juvenile was also charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief and was later transported to the Juvenile Detention Center in Bridgeton on those charges.
Law Enforcement Authorities in Indiana have advised the Lower Township Police Department that Damian Asher is a person of interest in several burglaries in that state as well.
The incident was investigated by Patrolman Christian Lambert, Patrolman Matthew Dickinson and Detective Michael Majane.