State, Middle Police Link, Solve Eight Burglaries In Middle, Dennis Twp.

DENNISVILLE – New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Woodbine Station announced the arrest of three individuals Jan. 13 for their participation in the recent home burglaries that have occurred in Dennis Township over the past several months.
Sarah Murray, 35, of Erma, Lawrence Sheeron, 41, of Rio Grande, and Michael Miller, 35, of Rio Grande were arrested and charged through a joint operation with Middle Township Police Department.
Lt. Doug Pearson, Woodbine station commander, said that the most recent burglary occurred Jan. 12, in which the rear sliding door of a residence was smashed and numerous pieces of jewelry were stolen from the residence.  Pearson said that all the burglaries occurred in the daytime hours and in each case, none of the homeowners were home. 
On Jan. 13, three possible suspects for the burglaries were developed by the Woodbine Station’s Troop “A” Criminal Investigation Office. NJSP detectives then contacted Middle Township Police Department and information was learned that their Street Crimes Unit, while working on an unrelated investigation in their area, had also developed information on the same suspects. They were also able to provide the location of the suspects at a motel in Middle Township. A joint investigation with NJSP and Middle Township Police Department then ensued which led to their arrests.
Search warrants were executed by NJSP Troop “A” Technical, Emergency, and Missions Specialists (TEAMS) unit at two different rooms at a motel in the 1000 block of NJ 47 in Rio Grande. Assisting in this were the NJSP K-9 Unit South, Troop “A” CIO, Middle Township Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutors Office.  
As a result of the search, several thousand dollars in stolen jewelry, prescription narcotics, and hypodermic needles were recovered. Other suspected stolen items were also seized. Jewelry seized during the search warrant matched the description of jewelry stolen from numerous reported burglaries in Dennis Township. As a result, a total of six home burglaries in Dennis Township have been solved with additional charges possible against the suspects. Additionally, two Middle Township home burglaries were also solved during this investigation. The stolen items will be turned over to the respective victims in the near future.  
Sheeron was charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief, possession of CDS, possession of hypodermic needles; Murray was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit theft, and receiving stolen property. Both were lodged in Cape May County Correctional Center. Miller was charged with receiving stolen property and fencing and was released pending court. Middle Township Police Department also charged the trio with similar charges. 
Lt. Pearson stated that throughout this investigation, the Woodbine Station had been getting the word out to Dennis Township residents to be diligent in reporting any suspicious behavior they see. Additionally, he and Dennis Twp. Councilwoman Lisa Salimbene have kept the lines of communication open to help keep residents apprised of some of the ongoing aspects of the investigation. Pearson said that working with the community on the very issues that affect them can be an important tool in today’s policing. 
Pearson also stated that this investigation was a great example of the results that can come from inter-agency cooperation with the exchange of information between departments, as everyone works for the common good. Pearson was quick to commend Chief Chris Leusner and the Middle Township Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and said that Leusner’s Street Crimes Unit was instrumental in this investigation and he looks forward to how they might continue to work together in the future.  
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This report is based on information received from law enforcement.