Two Charged for Burglary; One Faces Third Charge in Less Than 2 Weeks

Two men were arrested last week after police say they broke into a home in the 100 block of Hoover Avenue and stole beer, wine and a backpack valued at $55. 

John Morris, 18, of Ewing was charged with burglary and theft. Also charged with burglary and theft was Julian Rodriguez, 19, of Puritan Avenue in Lawrence. 

Police said they received a call around 3 a.m. on May 10 from a Hoover Avenue resident who reported that someone was breaking into the house. When patrols arrived, they found the back door unlocked and Morris sitting in a vehicle on the street. Police then found Rodriguez walking in the area of Lawrence High School and arrested him. 

Both men were held on $60,000 bail after they failed to post 10 percent bond. 

This was the third time in less than two weeks that Rodriguez has been charged with burglary in Lawrence, Police said. 

Rodriguez and another man were arrested in recent weeks after police say they worked together to rob homes on Ditmars Avenue and Roxboro Road. Rodriguez was out on $30,000 bail when he allegedly burglarized the Hoover Avenue home. 

The burglary on Ditmars Avenue happened on April 25. A resident reported that someone entered the home through an unlocked window and stole an iPad, a laptop, and two iPods. The total value of the electronics was estimated at about $2,000 and some of the items have since been recovered, police said.