Men Burglarized Two Lawrence Homes, Police Allege

Two men who were arrested by Hamilton Township police last week minutes after they allegedly burglarized a home in that municipality have been charged by Lawrence Township police in connection with two residential break-ins that occurred on the same day in Lawrence earlier this month.

Lt. Mark Ubry, Lawrence Township police spokesman, said Detectives James Smith and Todd Caruso on Feb. 15 charged the suspects – Colin Hayman, 20, and Randolph Edwards, 20, both of Trenton – each with two counts of burglary and two counts of theft in connection with the break-ins that occurred on Feb. 1 on Drift Avenue and Northbrook Avenue.

As previously reported, more than $1,300 worth of property – including Xbox 360 and Play Station 3 video game consoles, assorted coins and liquor – was stolen from the home on Drift Avenue, while two laptop computers, two iPads, two iPods and other property worth $5,700 were stolen from the house on Northbrook Avenue.

Police previously revealed that entry to the house on Drift Avenue was made by prying open a door, and entry to the home on Northbrook Avenue was gained by forcing open a metal door leading to the interior of the residence from the garage.

A third burglary that occurred on Gedney Avenue that same day, Feb. 1, remains under investigation, Ubry said.

Hamilton Township police said Hayman and Edwards were arrested on Feb. 13 after they were spotted allegedly breaking into a home on Sandalwood Avenue, off Sweet Briar Avenue. Lawrence Township Police Officer Ron Buchanan and his canine partner were called out that afternoon to help Hamilton police search the neighborhood for the suspects.

Hayman and Edwards were each charged by Hamilton Township police with multiple counts of burglary and theft.