STAFFORD – Flat screen televisions, power & hand tools, other electronics and food. These were just some of the items that were taken by what can only be described as a serial burglar who now remains locked up at the Ocean County Jail.
Stafford Township Police arrested 24-year-old Gerardo Antonio Hernandez-Martinez twice this month for allegedly breaking into at least five different homes on Jennings Road. Some of the incidents began back in late December and continued into the new year.
The department also confirmed that some of the seasonal residences appeared to have been unlawfully occupied in the homeowner’s absence for an extended period of time.
Police received a phone call in reference to a burglary in progress on January 8. Patrol officers responded where they found Hernandez-Martinez. He was arrested and charged with Criminal Trespassing, Burglary and Theft. Hernandez-Martinez was released from jail due to Bail Reform, pending a future court appearance.
Then, just four days later on January 12, the police received another call from a different resident on Jennings Road reporting additional incidents of burglary and theft. Multiple stolen items from the previous burglaries were recovered and returned back to the victims.
With the investigation continuing, Stafford Police connected the other incidents to Hernandez-Martinez so they took him into custody at his workplace in Forked River.
He was taken to the Ocean County Jail where he now remains and will face a court appearance with additional counts of Burglary, Theft and Criminal Mischief.
Stafford Police commend the victims who reported the crimes immediately to their department, leading to a swift apprehension of the alleged suspect. They remind residents to immediately report any suspicious activity to police by calling 911 or Stafford Police Dispatch Center at 609-597-8581.
