SOMERVILLE, N.J. - Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Hillsborough Chief of Police Darren Powell announced that the Somerset County Grand Jury issued an Indictment charging Jhamir I. Hoagland, 18, of Taylor Road in Franklin Township, and Omar S. Griggs, Jr., 18, with a last known address of Hempstead Drive in Franklin Township, with multiple crimes arising from a burglary and gunshot at a home on Mersher Court in Hillsborough Township that occurred on August 16th.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that at approximately 1:20 a.m. on August 16, 2018, homeowners on Mersher Court called 9-1-1 and reported a burglary in progress at their residence.
Hillsborough Township Police responded to the scene and confronted two actors in the rear of the fenced-in property. A foot chase ensued and the actors successfully escaped.
Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes and the Crime Scene Units responded to the scene to assist the Hillsborough Township Police Department.
The crime scene was searched and a .38 caliber revolver was recovered underneath the rear deck affixed to the home. Additionally, a fractured basement window and a discharged bullet inside the basement were discovered.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Jhamir Hoagland was taken into custody by police at approximately 6:00 a.m., when he attempted to enter his 1999 Volkswagen Jetta that had been parked overnight near the crime scene.
The Jetta was subsequently towed from the scene and later searched by police. That search yielded personal identification information belonging to Omar Griggs, Jr., .380 caliber bullets, and property that had recently been stolen during another burglary.
Prosecutor Robertson also stated that a surveillance camera captured the image of Omar Griggs, Jr., attempting to enter the home after 6:00 a.m.
The surveillance camera also captured the image of Griggs stealing a bicycle from the property and peddling away.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that the Grand Jury charged both defendants with second degree burglary, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, second degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, fourth degree resisting arrest by flight, and two counts of receiving stolen property. Prosecutor Robertson stated that co-defendant Griggs, Jr., was separately charged with third degree attempted burglary and fourth degree theft.
Defendant Jhamir Hoagland is currently lodged at the Somerset County Jail awaiting trial on the charges. Prosecutor Robertson stated that co-defendant Omar Griggs, Jr., is the subject of an Arrest Warrant on the burglary charges.