Home invasion robberies under investigation

• Home invasion robberies under investigation in Old Bridge and South Plainfield
• The latest incident occurred Tuesday in South Plainfield in the early evening hours
• The incidents occurred Oct. 20 and 26 in Old Bridge
• Police believe the robberies were committed by the same suspects.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY – Authorities are investigating three home invasion robberies in two communities that they believe were committed by the same suspects.

The latest home invasion robbery took place Tuesday night in South Plainfield. That incident followed two home invasion robberies that occurred Oct. 20 and 26 in the Oakwood and Country Place sections of Old Bridge.

“Based on the information we have, there is a strong possibility that these crimes in both communities have been committed by the same suspects,” Old Bridge Police Capt. Robert Weiss Jr. said.

According to Crime Stoppers of Middlesex County’s website, in the South Plainfield incident, which occurred in the early evening hours, suspects entered the rear door of a house and robbed a family. The residence was on a corner lot in the township, the website said.

The Old Bridge robberies occurred during the late evening hours and involved at least two suspects with handguns who forced entry into the homes and demanded the residents provide cash and electronics, Weiss said.

In the first incident in the Oakwood section of Old Bridge, children were at home at the time of the robbery, he said. In the second Old Bridge incident, a resident was treated at and released from a hospital, Weiss added.

Weiss said that in the Old Bridge robberies, the suspects’ faces were hidden.

“Every available resource at our disposal is working this case right now,” Weiss said.

The Old Bridge Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the New Jersey State Police, are investigating. South Plainfield police also are investigating.

Weiss urged residents to report suspicious activity to police, make sure doors and windows are locked, activate alarms and keep lights on at night.

Anyone with information should contact Old Bridge Police Detectives Michael Machen at 732-721-5600, ext 3210, or Thomas Montagna at 732-721-5600, ext. 3202, Middlesex County Crime Stoppers at 800-939-9600 or South Plainfield police at 908-755-0700.

Tips can also be submitted at www.middlesextips.com or by texting to 274637 (CRIMES).

Staff Writer Susan Loyer: 732-565-7243; sloyer@mycentraljersey.com