A joint investigation led to the arrest of three men in relation to residential burglaries in Franklin Township and in Hillsborough in October 2024, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr.
Rodrigo A. Lopez, 42, of Bridgewater, Edison Jimenez-Castro, age 35, of Manville and Andres Moncaleano, 30, of Elizabeth, face a slew of charges, according to a press release through the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
On Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at approximately 9:52 p.m., officers from the Franklin Township Police Department responded to a report of a residential burglary to a residence located on Second Street in Franklin Township. Upon their arrival, it was determined that entry was made to the residence through a broken window on the second floor. Video surveillance depicted a vehicle in the nearby area at the time of the burglary. The residents reported jewelry, coinage, and artwork taken from the residence. Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department responded to the scene to investigate.
On Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, at approximately 8:19 p.m. officers from the Hillsborough Township Police Department responded to a report of a residential burglary to a residence located on Brennan Way in Hillsborough. Upon their arrival, officers observed broken glass in the second-floor rear window of the home. Video surveillance depicted two individuals running from the residence and entering a vehicle that appeared to be similar to the vehicle observed in the area during the Franklin Township burglary on October 18. The homeowners reported jewelry and coinage missing from the residence. Detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department responded to conduct the investigation.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Unit conducted a joint investigation with officers and detectives from Hillsborough and Franklin into the reported burglaries. It was determined that the residential burglaries involved the coordination of several individuals and the use of two vehicles.
The investigation led to the identification of the three individuals – Lopez, Jimenez-Castro and Moncaleano, police said.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Task Force along with members of the Hillsborough Township Police Department, Franklin Township Police Department, South Brunswick Township Police Department, Manville Police Department, and Bridgewater Township Police Department arrested Rodrigo Lopez without incident in Bridgewater. On the same date, Edison Jimenez-Castro was arrested in Manville without incident.
Lopez, Jimenez-Castro and Moncaleano were each charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, one count of second-degree theft, one count of third-degree conspiracy to commit theft, one count of third-degree theft, and two counts of possession of burglary tools, a disorderly person’s offense.
Lopez and Jimenez-Castro were both lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Moncaleano was arrested without incident in South Brunswick by members of the South Brunswick Police Department. He was lodged in Middlesex County Jail pending a court hearing in this matter.
McDonald recognized the Franklin Township Police Department, Hillsborough Township Police Department, Edison Police Department, South Brunswick Township Police Department, Elizabeth Police Department, Woodbridge Police Department, Manville Police Department, and Bridgewater Township Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.
Anyone with information regarding these burglaries to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Burglary Unit at (908) 231-7100 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
