Burglary arrest made in Vernon

The Vernon Police arrested James R. Mullen, a 23-year-old township resident, on Jan. 4 at police headquarters for multiple counts of burglary and theft after a joint investigation conducted by the Vernon Police Detective Bureau and New Jersey State Police detectives into several smash-and-grab burglaries throughout the county. The burglaries were committed late at night and into the early morning hours at closed businesses. Mullen alleged smashed a window or glass door to gain entry, then allegedly would, in most cases, remove just cash; cigarettes were taken in another incident. The following is a list of dates and locations: Dec. 10,2004 — Candy's Pizza — Route 206, Montague Dec. 11, 2004 — Bo Ya Palace Chinese Restaurant — Route 94, Vernon Dec. 11,2004 — VIP nails — Route, 94 Vernon Dec. 13, 2004 — Franks Pi/./a — Route 23, Wantage Dec. 13,2004 — About-A-Buck dollar store — Route 23, Wantage Dec. 13,2004 — Bella Tanning Salon — Route 23, Hardyston Dec. 13, 2004 — The Good Taste Chinese Restaurant — Route 23, Hamburg Dec. 13,2004 — Brothers Pizza — Route 23, Hamburg Dec. 31, 2004 — Christopher's Deli & Bakery — Clove Road, Montague Dec. 31, 2004 — Bo Ya Palace Chinese Restaurant — Route 94, Vernon Dec. 31,2004 — VIP nails — Route 94, Vernon Mullen has been formally charged with four counts of burglary, four counts of theft, and four counts of criminal mischief for the Vernon burglaries. He was lodged in Sussex County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail pending a court appearance. Burglary, theft and criminal mischief charges will be filed in all the remaining cases by the respective jurisdictions.