SOMERVILLE, NJ—Authorities in Somerset County have apprehended two individuals, Macario Wilchez, 20, of Sprague Avenue, and Rafael Maisonet, 18, of Linden Avenue, both from South Plainfield, New Jersey. They are suspected of committing multiple burglaries at gas station stores along the Route 22 corridor between May 2 and May 13.
The initial incident occurred on Thursday, May 2, at 3:16 AM, when a suspect broke the front door glass of a gas station on Route 22 in Somerville, stealing numerous vape products. A similar method was employed in a repeat burglary at the same location on Saturday, May 4, at 1:10 AM, with the thief again targeting vape items.
Further incidents followed, with another break-in at a different gas station on Route 22 in Somerville on Thursday, May 9, at 1:36 AM. The burglar, using the same modus operandi, took various vape products after breaking the glass door.
The sequence of events led to the encounter on Monday, May 13, at 2:30 AM, when North Plainfield police on routine patrol spotted Wilchez attempting to enter a closed convenience store at a gas station. He was found with a small hatchet but left the scene pending further investigation. Subsequently, at 4:06 AM, an individual matching Wilchez’s description broke into another gas station in Greenbrook, stealing vape products and cash from the register.
The investigation was conducted collaboratively by local police departments under the guidance of Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and other county law enforcement officials. The quick response and detailed investigations by the officers involved have been pivotal in addressing this spate of crimes along the busy Route 22 corridor.