RIO GRANDE — On Saturday, March 21, at approximately 10 p.m., the Middle Township Police Street Crimes Unit attempted to arrest a suspected burglar.
Gene Britton, 27, of Rio Grande, was a suspect in multiple burglaries which occurred in the Grande Woods Trailer Park and also had an outstanding bench warrant for his arrest.
When Street Crime Investigators Mark Higginbottom and John Norton attempted the arrest, Britton fled. After a brief foot pursuit, Britton was apprehended. Britton was then questioned in regards to numerous burglaries in the Rio Grande area.
Britton was subsequently charged with 13 counts of third-degree burglary, several counts of theft and criminal mischief. He was then lodged in county jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.
According to the state Department of Corrections, Britton has been in and out of state prison four times on burglary charges since 2001. He most recently served a year from May 26, 2006 to May 21, 2007.
The burglaries were investigated by Detectives Bob Shepherd and Clint Stocker of the Major Crimes Unit.
