Police Catch Alleged Burglar Red-Handed

Police caught up with a reported prowler on the prowl for homes to burglarize, and authorities believe she’s connected to 10 area break-ins.

Janine Taunitas, 20, of Turnersville Road, Sicklerville, is connected to the burglaries in Gloucester Township and Pine Hill, Gloucester Township Police allege. She was arrested Dec. 14 after police received reports of a suspicious woman walking door to door on Shenandoah Drive in a senior living complex.

Officers caught up with Taunitas after she drove away. She reportedly told police she knew the homeowner whose door she was knocked on, and was in the area looking for her missing dog. Police said the suspect did not know the homeowner and was on a burglary mission.

A Gloucester Township Police investigator subsequently tied Taunitas to the other area burglaries; stolen property from some of the break-ins was recovered, police say.

Taunitas was charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft. She was sent to the Camden County Correctional Facility with $50,000 bail, with an option to pay 10 percent.