Trenton Man Charged With More Than a Dozen Car Buglaries in Lawrence

A 55-year-old man from Trenton faces multiple charges after police allege that he burglarized more than a dozen vehicles near the AAMCO in Lawrence Township.

James Prather, was charged with 14 counts of burglary, one count of theft and one count of criminal trespass.  He was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant custody for warrant and he was sent to the Mercer County Corrections Center in lieu of $35,000 full bail. 

The incident happened on Saturday, Nov. 30. 

According to Lawrence Township Police, it was 4:11 a.m. when Off. Gladney was on patrol and saw Prather in the Halo Farm property next to the Trenton Farmers' Market. Prather was allegedly carrying a couple of backpacks. Gladney discovered Prather had an outstanding warrant out of Trenton and that one of the backpacks had a name on it that wasn't Prather's. 

Gladney did a search on the unknown name and discovered that the person was an employee at a nearby AAMCO. 

When police arrived at AAMCO, they discovered 14 cars that had been entered that night- doors left open, interior lights on, glove boxes open, items on the vehicle seats. The employee who owned the backpack had parked his vehicle at AAMCO as well.