Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey, Chief James Parker of the South Plainfield Police Department and Chief William Volkert of the Old Bridge Police Department announced today that families of Asian Indian descent appear to be the targets of home invasions in which gunmen broke into their homes, restrained family members and stole undisclosed amounts of cash, electronics and jewelry.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police and the FBI have joined the Old Bridge and South Plainfield police departments in aggressively tracking suspects in the armed burglaries, but are not disclosing whether the same suspects participated in each of the late night home invasions.
In each of the burglaries, two or more masked men, armed with handguns, entered the homes through rear entrances, restrained occupants and ransacked the homes in search of valuables.
No arrests have been made, but the investigation is active and is continuing.
Prosecutor Carey advised residents to be vigilant, watch neighbors’ homes and call police regarding any suspicious activity. He also advised residents to make certain their homes are secure.
The most recent home invasion occurred on October 28, 2014 in South Plainfield. A family of five was accosted during that incident. The gunmen took jewelry before fleeing.
Prior incidents occurred at homes in Old Bridge on October 26, 2014 and on October 20, 2014. Asian Indian families also were accosted and restrained in those incidents as gunmen ransacked the homes and took valuables including cash and electronics.
Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County Inc. is offering cash rewards to anyone who wants to provide information anonymously.
The Crime Stoppers phone number is: 1-800-939-9600. Additionally, anyone with information may access the Crime Stoppers website at middlesextips.com. Text messages with information may also be sent to 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword ‘’midtip’’ followed by a message.
Those who call will be given instructions on how to collect cash rewards by using a numerical code that will be recognized by a local bank, which will pay the rewards following approval by Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County Inc.
Additionally, anyone with information is urged to call their local police, or Agent John Selesky of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3439, or Detective John Marotta of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745- 3331.