Police: Barnegat Man Escaped Jail, Stole $1,700 From Homes

Barnegat police and members of the U.S. Marshal’s service announced today that they arrested a township man accused of committing of a string of recent burglaries after escaping from jail. 

Jeremy Casper, 33, was arrested at approximately 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 from a Freedom Hills Drive home, according to a release from the Barnegat Township Police Department.

Police had developed Casper as a suspect in three Dec. 1 burglaries in the Settlers Landing neighborhood when Barnegat police Det. William Hetrick discovered that Casper had escaped from a state Department of Corrections facility in Yardville where he was serving time for burglary.

Police and the U.S. Marshals traced Casper to the Freedom Hills home, took him into custody and returned him to the Yardville facility.

Casper is accused of stealing over $1,700 cash and jewelry from the three Settlers homes. Today, Hetrick charged Casper with three counts of third-degree burglary, three counts of third-degree theft and a count of criminal mischief.