The man suspected of terrorizing Lakewood by burglarizing 15 homes over a period of several months last year, has been apprehended, police say.

“Chief Robert Lawson is pleased to announce that after a yearlong investigation led by Det. Steve Kelusak, 37-year-old Barry E. Walker of Willingboro New Jersey has been charged and arrested in connection with 15 burglaries that netted approximately 2.1 million dollars in proceeds between June and November 2015,” Detective Captain Steve Allaire says.

On July 9th 2016, Walker was arrested after he was observed leaving a Mattison Avenue apartment in Asbury Park. Surveillance teams, comprised of Lakewood Township Detectives as well as Patrol Officers from Asbury Park Police Department converged on him as he entered his vehicle. He was taken into custody without incident and was transported to Ocean County Jail in lieu of a $250,000 cash only bail.

On June 13th, 2015 a Seton Circle home was forcibly entered through a rear sliding glass door. Proceeds taken were jewelry, electronics, cash and a firearm all valued in excess of $25,000 were taken from the residence.

On July 16th, 2015 an Adelaide Place home was forcibly entered through the rear window. Proceeds taken during the burglary were jewelry, cash, designer wear and electronics all valued in excess of $275,000.00.

On July 29th, 2015 a West Kennedy Boulevard home was entered by forcibly shattering out a rear sliding door. Proceeds taken were jewelry, cash and electronics all valued in excess of $17,000.00. In addition, a Martin Street home was also burglarized that same date. Entry was made by shattering the rear sliding door. Proceeds taken during the burglary were cash, designer wear and designer handbags and belts. All valued in excess in $120,000.00.

On August 8th, 2015 a Malka Way home was forcibly entered by shattering a rear basement window. Proceeds taken during the burglary were jewelry, cash, religious artwork and artifacts all totaling in excess of $800,000.

On August 21st, 2015 a Parkside Drive home was forcibly entered by shattering a rear basement window. Proceeds taken during the burglary were jewelry, cash, silver tableware, silver candlesticks, assorted silver pieces, designer wear and designer shoes all valued in excess of $78,000.00.

Also, on August 21st, 2015 a Cedar Row home was forcibly entered through a garage door being forced open. Proceeds taken during the burglary were silver candelabra, religious artifacts, silver flatware and dinnerware, jewelry, designer wear and cash all valued in excess of $330,000.00.

Sometime between October 16th and October 17th, 2015 a Gudz Road home was entered through a rear window. Proceeds taken were jewelry and cash valued in excess of $10,000.00.

Between October 16th and October 17th a Hope Chapel Road home was entered through a first floor window. Proceeds taken were jewelry valued in excess of $15,000.

On October 20th, 2015 an Old Whitesville Road home was burglarized by forcibly breaking a basement window. Proceeds taken were silver candelabras, religious artifacts, silver tableware, silver flatware, jewelry and electronics all totaling in excess of $30,000.00.

On October 23rd, 2015 West Countyline Road home was burglarized by forcibly breaking a rear sliding glass door. Proceeds taken were jewelry and cash valued in excess of $16,000.00. 16.

Between October 23rd and October 25th, 2015 a Gudz Road home was burglarized after forced entry was made to a rear door. Proceeds taken were silver candelabras, trays, dishes, religious artifacts, assorted pieces a silver and jewelry all valued in excess of $41,000.00.

Between October 23rd and October 26th, 2015, a Clearstream Road home was forcibly entered by breaking a rear basement window. Proceeds taken were numerous assorted pieces of silver valued in excess of $85,000.

Between November 6th and November 7th a Colonial Drive home was burglarized after forcibly making entry through a rear door. Proceeds taken during the burglary were silver plates, religious artifacts, candelabras, tableware, flatware and jewelry all valued in excess of $215,000.00.

Police caught a break on November 6th, 2015 when the burglary to a Pinemere Avenue home was interrupted by an alarm and the suspect fled. While making his way to a getaway car he was observed by numerous area residents who contacted the Lakewood Police Department and Lakewood Community Safety Watch.

“A member of the Lakewood Community Safety Watch volunteer happened to be in the area followed the getaway and relayed the vehicle information to Lakewood Police Department,” police said. “As a result, the information directly led us to identify Barry Walker as a possible suspect.”

Further investigation conducted by Det. Steve Kelusak, along with the assistance of numerous Federal, State, County and other Local Law enforcement agencies over the last year, was able to develop evidence linking Walker’s participation in the burglaries.

“Although additional arrests are pending, this was a very long and intricate investigation involving countless man hours by teams of dedicated officers with various backgrounds and expertise,” Allaire said. “These cases were solved with good old fashion police work, assisted by modern science and technology. It is an excellent example of determination and it just goes to show that you never know when the long arm of the law will sneak up and tap you on your shoulder.”

“We would like to personally thank, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Special Operations Group and High Tech Crimes Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and K9 unit, Federal Bureau of Investigations Red Bank Office, New Jersey State Police-The Office of Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC), New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Monmouth County Prosecutors Office, Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, Willingboro Police Department, Perth Amboy Police Department, Marlboro Police Department, Howell Township Police Department, Hillside Police Department, Neptune, Asbury Park Police Department, and the Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch for all of their assistance.”

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