Arrest - Aggravated Assault, Poss. of Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Burglary(14), Theft (14)

[Lt. Robert Osborn]

During the overnight hours into Saturday, 1/20/18, numerous burglaries to unlocked motor vehicles occurred within the Town of Newton. Specifically, in the area of Hillside Terrace and Landmark West Apartments.  Officers and Detectives initiated an investigation and increased patrols in the area.

At about 2:30a.m. on Monday, 1/22/18, Officer Jared Zappa observed a male walking on Hillside Avenue and after a subsequent investigation, he was identified as Robert T. Oglesby, age 32, of Swartswood Road, Newton and determined to be a possible suspect in the recent burglaries.

On 1/22/18 at 6:18a.m., Newton Police responded to Landmark West Apartments to investigate a report of a male being struck in the head with a hatchet.  Investigation revealed that the actor was Ogelsby.  

During the processing of the scene of the assault, Detectives observed two items (identification card and paystub) with the names of two of the reported victims of the burglaries.

A subsequent search of the apartment yielded numerous items from the burglaries belonging to several other victims.  All stolen articles were collected and brought to the Newton Police Station where several of the owners of the items were contacted.  These stolen items included, but were not limited to, GPS systems, cell phones, clothing, assorted paperwork, wallets, electronic charging cords, flashlights, watches, thumb drives, keys, compact discs, knives and loose change with an estimated total value of $3,200.00.

The victim of the assault was transported to Morristown Memorial Hospital and received stitches to his left ear before being released.

Robert T. Oglesby was charged with the following offenses before being lodged in the Sussex County Jail:

N.J.S. 2C:12-1(b)     Aggravated Assault (3^rd degree)

N.J.S. 2C:39-4d        Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose  (3^rd Degree)

N.J.S. 2C:20-3a       Theft of Moveable Property  (3^rd/4^th Degree) (14 Counts)

N.J.S. 2C:18-2a        Burglary (3^rd Degree)    (14 Counts)

 

Investigating Officers:

Ptl. Jared Zappa, Ptl. John Flanagan, Sgt. Thomas Muller, Ptl. Russell Post, Ptl. Jose Morales, DSG. Steve VanNieuwland and Detective Thomas Tosti.

 

Newton Police suspect that there may have been other recent burglaries to motor vehicles within the Town of Newton that went unreported.  As a result, police are asking any of these victims to contact Detective Thomas Tosti to possibly identify any of their missing items that may have been recovered and to make arrangements for their return.

 

Additionally, Newton residents are reminded to lock their motor vehicles to prevent any thefts of a similar nature.