By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced the arrest of Macario Wilchez, 20, of South Plainfield, and Rafael Maisonet,18, also of South Plainfield, in relation to several gas station store burglaries that occurred between May 2 and May 13, 2024, along the Route 22 corridor in Somerset County.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald said that on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at approximately 3:16 a.m., an individual wearing a hoodie, face mask, and gloves broke the glass in the front door of a gas station store located on Route 22 in Somerville to gain entry.
Upon gaining entry to the store, officials said, the individual stole numerous vape products before fleeing the area.
According to officials, officers from the Somerville Police Department responded to the scene to investigate.
Officials stated that on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at approximately 1:10 a.m., the same gas station store located on Route 22 in Somerville was broken into.
An individual broke the lower glass portion of the front door to enter the store, officials say.
Authorities say upon entering the store, the individual stole the same vape items that were stolen on May 2, 2024, before fleeing the area.
Officials from the Somerville Police Department responded to the scene to investigate.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at approximately 1:36 a.m., an individual broke into a different gas station store located on Route 22 in Somerville.
Officials said the individual gained entry by breaking glass in the front door and then stealing various vape products before fleeing the area.
Officers from the Somerville Police Department responded to the scene to investigate, according to officials.
Authorities say that on Monday, May 13, 2024, at approximately 2:30 a.m., while on routine patrol, officers from the North Plainfield Police Department observed an individual, wearing a dark hoodie, a face mask, and gloves, attempting to pull the handle of the door to a closed convenience store of a gas station located on Route 22 in North Plainfield.
Officers identified this individual as Macario Wilchez, who was in possession of a small hatchet at the time of contact with the officers, officials say.
Officials said Mr. Wilchez departed the area pending further investigation.
According to officials, on Monday, May 13, 2024, at approximately 4:06 a.m., an individual wearing a dark hoodie, face mask, and gloves matching the clothing worn by Wilchez a short time earlier in North Plainfield entered the front door of a gas station store located on Route 22 in Greenbrook by breaking the glass.
Upon entry, officials say, the individual stole various vape products as well as the cash from the cash register.
Officials said officers from the Greenbrook Police Department responded to the scene to investigate.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit conducted a joint investigation with detectives from the Somerville Police Department, Green Brook Police Department, and North Plainfield Police Department.
According to officials, on Friday, May 31, 2024, because of this investigation, Macario Wilchez was arrested without incident in Westampton Township and charged with four counts of third-degree Burglary, four counts of third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking, four counts of fourth-degree Criminal Mischief, one count of third-degree Attempted Burglary, and one count of third-degree Possession of a Weapon.
Defendant Wilchez was released pending his court date in this matter, officials said.
Authorities say that on Thursday, June 6, Rafael Maisonet was arrested in South Plainfield without incident as a result of this investigation and charged with two counts of third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking and two counts of third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.
Officials say Defendant Maisonet was identified as the driver involved in the burglaries along with defendant Wilchez.
Defendant Maisonet was released pending his court date in this matter, officials stated.