MIDDLE TOWNSHIP POLICE PRESS RELEASE:

COURT HOUSE -- On Dec. 19 at 2:18 a.m., Middle Township Police received a call of two suspicious individuals walking in and out of people’s driveways on Pershing Avenue.

Ptl. Novsak arrived on scene and was able to follow footprints in the snow, which led behind a building under construction on Route 9. Ptl. Novsak radioed ahead to other officers who intercepted the two suspects on Route 9. Joseph Grillo, 18, from North Cape May was arrested without incident. A 17-year-old juvenile led Ptl. Bryan on a short chase before he was apprehended. Ptl. Bryan suffered a knee injury and was treated and released at Cape Regional Medical Center.

Ptl. Novsak later went back to Pershing and Cedar Avenues to track both of the accused’s footprints. He found that the pair walked up to vehicles in each driveway, and entered only unlocked vehicles, taking anything of value. Over 21 vehicles were approached and at least 7 were entered. Grillo was lodged in Cape May County Corrections Center with $50,000. full cash bail and an existing bench warrant for an unrelated offense. The juvenile was released to his mother. Grillo was charged employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime. Additional charges of Burglary, Attempted Burglary and Conspiracy are pending. The juvenile was charged with Burglary and Resisting Arrest 3rd degree because of the officer’s injury. A Conspiracy charge is pending.

Citizens are reminded to lock their vehicles and not to leave valuable items in their vehicles. We also encourage people to report any suspicious activity immediately and not wait. Anyone else who may have been a victim is encouraged to report it to the police.