Juvenile Charged in Wye Oak Burglary

Police have charged a 17-year-old township resident with burglarizing a home in Sicklerville's Wye Oak development and stealing electronics and containers of coins earlier this month.

The burglary, which was reported to police on July 6, occurred on Aberdeen Drive sometime between 8 and 9:15 p.m. July 5.

It was discovered the burglar entered the home by breaking out glass to a rear door to the home with a rock, according to police.

Shortly after the burglary, a shopper at a nearby Winslow Township supermarket reported to Winslow police that he observed juveniles acting suspiciously in the store, according to Gloucester Township Police Det. Sgt. James Schriver. That information was passed along to Gloucester Township investigators, and a suspect in the Aberdeen Drive burglary was developed as a result of the tip.

The 17-year-old male was riding his bike along Aberdeen Drive when he came across the victims' home, which was dark and had no cars parked in its driveway. After allegedly breaking out the rear-door glass, the teen stole two laptops, several video game devices and several containers of loose change from the home.

The teen has been charged as a juvenile with third-degree burglary and theft and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He was released to a parent or guardian.

Det. Michael Leach is the lead investigator on the case. According to Schriver, Leach recovered a majority of the stolen property in a nearby wooded area and returned it to the victims.