Police Blotter: Your Mother Should Know

Vehicle Burglary, Theft from a Motor Vehicle
On Dec. 28 at 12:30 p.m., an unsecured Dodge Caravan was broken into in the 400 block of Eldridge Ave.

The burglary took place during the hours of a wrestling match at the Collingswood High School.

Reported missing from the van was a Coach purse that contained $150 cash, three Target gift cards, two Amazon.com gift cards, and an Apple iPod. These items were recovered when the mother of a Collingswood juvenile found them in her child’s room, knew they didn’t belong there, and notified police.

The juvenile was charged with vehicle burglary and theft from a motor vehicle, and will appear in juvenile court.

Criminal Attempt
At 3 a.m. Dec. 21, police were notified of a burglary attempt at a home in the Unit Block of E. Wayne Terrace. The owners, who had been renovating the property, decided to stay there overnight, and were awakened by an intruder who entered through a back window in the kitchen.

When the suspect discovered that the home was not vacant, he fled. He was described as a male wearing a Carhartt-style jacket. Police also discovered that the suspect had tried a sealed front window before attempting the rear entry. 

Burglary
During the overnight hours of Dec. 14, police were called to the 100 Block of Haddon Ave. to investigate a reported burglary. The homeowner awakened to hear water running, and discovered that the home had been broken into through a basement window.

Police determined that a sink below the compromised window was turned on in the process of the intrusion. Nothing was taken, but police are investigating trace evidence from the incident. 

Employee Theft
Collingswood police were approached by a Radio Shack loss prevention manager to investigate discrepancies in funds identified at the store on Route 130 South. Together, they determined that, between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30, 2012, Ocsamad L. Santiago, 27, of Collingswood, had reported $480 in fictitious customer returns, pocketing the money and throwing out the transaction receipt.

Santiago also admitted to taking about $210 in merchandise, making the total loss to the store $710, police said. He was charged with fourth-degree theft, and, when he was unable to meet the $2,500 bail, was remanded to Camden County correctional facility.

DWI
At 2 a.m. on Dec. 22, police observed a vehicle crossing over the double yellow lines while traveling near the intersection of Haddon and Ferry Aves. The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop, and made contact with Adam A. Ford, 35, of Collingswood.

Ford appeared to be slurring his speech, and police say they detected an odor of alcohol on his breath. After failing a roadside sobriety examination, he was arrested on a DWI charge. Ford's vehicle was impounded, and he was released to a sober acquaintance.

Auto Theft
On Jan. 4, police received a report of a 1995 Honda Accord stolen from the 400 block of Tatem Ave. The vehicle was recovered the next day in the 1200 block of North 32nd Street in Camden City. It was in poor condition, its ignition damaged, and three tires and rims missing. Police have no suspects.

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