Man Charged in Burglaries After Neighborhood Watch Efforts Heighten In Silverton

said officers responding to a Silverton burglary arrested a man at the scene, but days later arrested him again for a separate incident.

Jesse Smith of Kettle Creek Road is charged with two counts of burglary and theft, said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

The police chief said at the first incident, Jan. 26, police were responding to an alarm at a Cambourne Drive home.

He said Officers Dan Brennan and Paul Burkhardt saw an individual in the home, allegedly taking more than $900 in jewelry. After he was spotted, the man fled but was stopped by Brennan.

"Officer Brennan in checking out the home observed a suspect inside the residence opening drawers. The suspect ... then fled the residence out a side door but was quickly apprehended by Officer Brennan," Mastronardy said.

The police chief said a second home on Cambourne was also burglarized that day.   

On Jan. 31, another incident was reported. In this residential burglary, on Maine Street in Silverton, the suspect forced his way in through a rear door and removed more than $3,000 in jewelry, Mastronardy. 

Smith, out on bail, was arrested at his home Wednesday night without incident and detained in the on $75,000 bail no 10 percent, according to the police chief.

The incidents came hours before a was to convene, focusing on the Cambourne neighborhood. 

Neighborhood Watch organizer for Cambourne, Rich Wieland, said that by chance, the home of one of the members was burglarized the morning before the meeting.

And, one of the victimized homeowners was a member of the Neighborhood Watch, and the second victim joined right after the burglary.

Wieland said Toms River has seen a 75 percent increase in from 2006 to 2010, which inspired him to establish the Neighborhood Watch.

"We all should literally look out for each other, to protect our families and our properties," Wieland said.

So far, about 40 percent of the Cambourne Shores neighborhood is participating in the Neighborhood Watch, where Wieland had hoped for one or two homes from each block.

The area covered is from Pinecrest Drive to Tova Court. To join, interested residents can email CambourneShores@gmail.com.

Detective Louis Santora and Officer Brennan recovered the stolen jewelry, sold to a local pawn shop. Mastronardy said the incidents are still under investigation and that other charges are pending. Anyone with information can contact Detective Santora at 349-0150 ext 1276