Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano, and Readington Township Police Chief Sebastian Donaruma, announce the arrest of James Defazio, age 32, of ReadingtonTownshipfor burglary, theft, and weapons charges.

According to Readington Township Police Chief Donaruma, "During the months of December and January, the Readington Police Department investigated several residential burglaries. Neighbouring jurisdictions also saw an increase in break-ins during the same time period, so a burglary task force was formed with the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office and several other agencies. As detectives gathered intelligence and tips from the public, a suspect was developed and surveillance was initiated. On February 11^th, the surveillance led police toUnionTownship inHunterdonCounty where Mr. James Defazio was observed in the act of committing a burglary. Readington Township Officers and Task Force Members apprehended Mr. Defazio a short distance from the scene and he was in possession of proceeds when he was arrested."

ProsecutorKearnsadded, "After Mr. Defazio's arrest, a search warrant was executed at his residence and vehicle. Numerous items were located from several burglaries that occurred in Hunterdon andSomersetCounties. Also located was a .45 calibre handgun stolen from a residence inHillsboroughTownship."

Mr. Defazio was charged by Readington Township Police with Burglary, Receiving Stolen Property, and Certain Person Not to Posses a Firearm. The Honorable Stephen B. Rubin, J.S.C. set bail at $200,000. The New Jersey State Police also charged Defazio with Burglary and bail was set at $50,000. Additional charges are pending. Mr. Defazio is currently lodged in the Hunterdon County Jail.

Prosecutor Kearnsconcluded, "This is an excellent example of agencies pooling resources in a coordinated effort which resulted in the successful apprehension of an individual responsible for numerous burglaries. I commend the work of all the agencies that participated in the burglary task force. I would like to thank Branchburg Township Police Chief Brian Fitzgerald, Hillsborough Township Police Chief Paul Kaminsky, Bernards Township Police Chief Brian Bobowicz, Clinton Township Police Director Robert Manney, and the New Jersey State Police for their involvement in this particular operation. I would especially like to thank the Readington Township Police Department for their perseverance and for taking the lead during field operations. We remind residents to continue to be vigilant. If anyone sees anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, notify police immediately."

The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.