Town police have cautioned residents about a rash of burglaries.
Phillipsburg police have warned residents about a rash of vehicle burglaries, and may have found a man responsible for at least some of them.
Curtis L. Dutcher, 27, is accused of breaking into four vehicles in the last week around Phillipsburg, including to the rear of the St. Luke's Hillcrest Professional Plaza in Lopatcong Township, according to township police and charges filed at state Superior Court in Belvidere.
The break-ins occurred last Thursday and Sunday, two on Memorial Parkway and one each on Mercer and Harris streets, the charges say. In three of the crimes, Dutcher allegedly smashed a window to get at cash or other valuables inside.
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Dutcher was sent to the Warren County jail on charges including four counts of burglary, two counts of theft and one count of criminal mischief. He also faces accusations of using a victim's credit card and illegally possessing Xanax pills.
On Monday, town police posted a warning on Facebook: "The Phillipsburg Police Department is investigating a series of vehicle burglaries that occurred throughout various parts of town. As a reminder, we encourage residents to keep their personal vehicles locked when not in use, and do not store any valuable items within plain view inside your vehicle."
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.