Hazlet Police: Two Burglars Arrested After Foot Pursuit

Two Keansburg men were arrested Saturday after they allegedly entered two Hazlet Township homes, according to Police Chief James Broderick

At about 12:30 p.m., a man attempted to enter a home on Bunkerhill Road by pushing out a window screen, according to Broderick. The home, however, was occupied, and the resident began shouting and scared the man away. 

The resident called police and officers began searching the area. 

Shortly after, a resident of Appleton Drive reported seeing a man climb through a window at his neighbor's house. Hazlet patrols in the area, assisted by Union Beach Police, New Jersey State Police and Holmdel Police searched the area. 

One of the men, later identified as James Imtamios, 21, was chased through several backyards before he was apprehended in a yard on Hemlock Street by Lt. David Cohen, who was assisted by Ptl. Kevin Geoghan, K-9 Diable and Ptl. Jerry Laurino, according to Broderick. According to the charges filed against Imtamios, he was found to be in possession of two watches valued at over $6,000 that were allegedly stolen from the Appleton Drive home.

The second man, identified as Justin Pepchinski, 34, was located and arrested on Union Avenue by Ptl. Adam Cullen. 

Imtamios was charged with burlgary, theft, conspiracy to commit burglary and resisting arrest. Pepchinski was charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. 

Officer Chris Acevedo is continuing the investigation of the incident. 

Both men were turned over to Keansburg Police on additional burglary-related charges in the borough and are currently in custody at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.