The common definition of burglary is the breaking and entering into a dwelling with an illegal purpose. Although each state has its own specific definition for the criminal charge of burglary and different requisites for the degree of the charge, the common definition can provide a general understanding of the criminal charge. The exact detailed elements of a criminal charge are important, as proof of each of the elements is required for a conviction of the criminal charge.
New Jersey prosecutors may be tasked with that exact challenge after five men were recently arrested for a burglary ring. It is alleged the five men ran the burglary ring, wherein they entered dozens of homes in the past couple of months and removing several items from the property.
Police reports indicate the men carefully chose the specific homes to burglarize, all of which were in affluent neighborhoods. The police reports further indicate the men chose houses where no one was home at the time of the burglary — a circumstance that often helps lower the severity of a charges.
The men have been suspected of burglary in New Jersey, but were ultimately arrested after a burglary that occurred out of state. Even though police alleged the men are part of a New Jersey burglary ring, the men have only been criminally charged in connection with the out-of-state burglary.
Each of the five men, ages 24 to 44, have been arrested and formally charged in connection to the singular burglary. The primary charges are possession of burglary tools and receiving stolen property. Each of the five men is currently in custody in lieu of bail and waiting further processing.
Source: NJ.com, “5 arrested in connection with major North Jersey burglary ring,” Louis C. Hochman, Oct. 26, 2012