Aberdeen PD nabs suspect in series of burglaries

ABERDEEN — With the combined efforts of community awareness and police work, township police apprehended a suspect on Feb. 6 in connection with a string of burglaries .

According to police, Rami Ramada, 23, of Keyport, was charged in connection with the burglaries or attempted burglaries of eight homes beginning in December.

“The detectives working the case were able to gather some information, go on the street and talk to people,” Chief John Powers said in an interview on Feb. 8. “A combination of their hard work and a little bit of good luck, we were able to locate the house and everything from there seemed to fall into place.”

The burglaries were perpetrated at homes on Idlewild, Idaho, Brookview and Canfield lanes, Oakshades Avenue, Lake Boulevard and Third Street.

The first of the home burglaries was reported on Dec. 28 with others following throughout January and have occurred in what police call the two “I” sections of the township. The break-ins occurred between noon and 8 p.m., and access was through a window.

According to a press release from the police department, information from the investigation led detectives to a residence on Harrison Avenue in Aberdeen, where Ramada was staying.

Asearch of the residence revealed the alleged proceeds of several burglaries, as well as a quantity of a substance police identified as heroin, the release said.

Items reported stolen from the homes include jewelry and electronics, Powers said.

He added that police recovered a 2005 Kia Sorento, which matched the description residents had given of the vehicle sighted in their neighborhood.

“Fromthe beginning we were looking for a small white SUV,” Powers said “Some of the folks in the area mentioned seeing this type of vehicle in the area.”

Further investigation resulted in Ramada being charged with eight counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, eight counts of conspiracy to commit theft, one count of receiving stolen property allegedly taken froma Dogwood Court residence in November 2011, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a park, and possession of hollow point ammunition.

He was also arrested on a contempt warrant out of Aberdeen municipal court.

Bailwas set at $312,689 and Ramada was committed to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township.

Police have not yet ascertained whether Ramada had an accomplice and warn residents to report any suspicious activity, according to the press release.

“We still have a couple of outstanding burglaries that we haven’t been able to solve, so we are still looking at those,” Powers said. “We still want residents to continue to be vigilant for any suspected activities in the neighborhoods.”

Police are continuing to investigate burglaries and suspicious activity reported on Imbrook Lane and Ivy Hill Drive with similar items missing.

“Some of the proceeds we recovered might come from other burglaries and other jurisdictions, so we are still pursuing that with other departments,” Powers said.

Police are encouraging residents to have lights on inside and outside the house.

Always make sure the house looks like someone is home, Powers advised.

Police also advise residents not to automatically open the front door and to know a person’s identity before admitting them. If the person at the door is a stranger, ask for identification.

In addition, solicitors and canvassers are required to obtain a permit from the township clerk. Copies of these permits are on file with the police department.

Anyone with information related to the burglaries is asked to contact the detective bureau at 732-566-2054.