Construction tools and related gear taken from a Berkeley Township house under renovation, which popped up in a Toms River pawnshop the following day, provide the trail that Berkeley investigators needed to arrest two township men.

Berkeley Township police cruiser
Berkeley Township police cruiser (Facebook)
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Eric Wierzbowski, 34, and Joseph Davis, 46, of Holiday City South, were apprehended April 26 after a search of Wierzbowski's Togo Road home and Davis's van yielded missing items, drugs and banned weapons, according to Police Chief Karin DiMichele.

Investigators said that access to the burglarized house was accomplished by forced entry through a rear window on April 25.

One day later, Toms River police notified investigators that they had confiscated some of the stolen items from a second-hand store.

Wierzbowski's house was placed under surveillance while police obtained a search warrant, which they enacted shortly after 9 PM when he returned to the dwelling. Police said that they seized several pieces of equipment, suspected heroin and drug-related items.

At nearly the same time, detectives and patrol officers flagged Davis's van to the shoulder of Mule Road. Police said that a set of brass knuckles found in the van prompted Davis's arrest.

Both were released to await court appearances. Wierzbowski is charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, and possession of heroin, marijiuana, syringes and drug paraphernalia. Davis is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and syringes.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

Berkeley Township Detectives Michel Tier, Joe Santoro, Michael Riccardelli, Detective Sergeant Peter LaRocca, and Patrolmen Scott Rudolph, Shawn Bowens and Ed LaGreca conducted the probe and followup investigations.

To report suspicious or criminal activity in Berkeley Township, e-mail detectives directly, or call 732-341-1132, extension 611. Information can be given anonymously and confidentially.

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