Burglary haul recovered

Stanhope - Police took less than 24 hours to recover the largest stash of stolen property the borough has seen in more than 25 years. A burglary was reported in former billiards parlor in the lower level of Rivers Edge Plaza on Route 183. The business had been foreclosed upon so there was no one on the premises. Sgt. Charles Zweigle responded to the call at about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28. Zweigle discovered entry was made to the building in two locations and the entire contents of the building were removed. The contents were valued at approximately $200,000. Zweigle, and Detective. Ryan Hickman investigated the incident, and within eight hours had arrested Robert E. Ford, 40, of Andover Township for burglary. Further investigation led the officers to a private storage facility in Ledgewood where, at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, Zweigle executed a search warrant and discovered every item that had been reported stolen. This was the largest theft of property from a single business in town in the last 25 years. It is also the largest amount of stolen property recovered, and in less than 24 hours, Ford was charged with second degree theft of movable property, third degree burglary, and fourth degree criminal mischief. He was lodged in the Sussex County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail.