A new unit in the Union County Prosecutor's Office, the Intelligence-Driven Investigation and Prosecution Unit, worked with local police in charging Christopher Ransom of the Vauxhall section of the township with 37 counts of burglary, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking and related offenses.
The investigation began Sept. 26, when a red pickup truck was stolen on the 700 block of Boulevard in Kenilworth.
Ransom was implicated in 14 more incidents:
Friday, Sept. 27: Burglary of motor vehicle, 600 block of U.S. Route 22 West, Hillside
Friday, Sept. 27: Burglary of business establishment, 10 block of Ashwood Avenue, Summit
Sunday, Sept 29: Burglary of business establishment, 200 block of So. Orange Ave., Livingston
Thursday, Oct. 3: Stolen motor vehicle, 300 block of Conant Street, Hillside
Thursday, Oct. 3: Burglary of business establishment, 100 block of Hillside Avenue, Springfield
Saturday, Oct. 5: Attempted burglary of business establishment, 300 block U.S. Route 22, Hillside
Saturday, Oct. 5: Burglary of business establishment, 1300 block of Chestnut Avenue, Hillside
Saturday, Oct. 5: Stolen motor vehicle, 900 block of Rahway Avenue, Union
Sunday, Oct. 6: Attempted burglary of business establishment, 1200 block Salem Avenue, Hillside
Sunday, Oct. 6: Burglary of business establishment, 100 block of Hillside Avenue, Hillside
Sunday, October 6: Attempted burglary of business establishment, 100 block U.S. Route 22, Hillside
Wednesday, October 9: Burglary of business establishment, 10 block of Caldwell Place, Springfield
Wednesday, Oct. 9: Burglary of business establishment, 1100 block U.S. Route 22, Mountainside
Wednesday, Oct. 9: Burglary of business establishment, 900 block of South Springfield Avenue, Springfield.
Ransom attempted or committed crimes at seven gas stations, a convenience store, a tire store, a bakery and a farmer's market, authorities said. The incidents at the businesses occurred when the businesses were closed.
Ransom was picked up in Newark just hours after authorities he committed his final burglary and was ordered to remain in custody at a hearing last week. He is scheduled to appear in court again Nov. 21.
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