UPDATED AT 7:14 PM MONDAY
Human remains were among the items stolen from two West Windsor homes that were forcibly entered sometime late afternoon or early evening on Thursday.
The victim whose wife’s cremains were stolen was identified by West Windsor Police as 78 year old Arthur Robinson Jr. of Hathaway Drive. The other burglary occurred at a residence located near the intersection of New Edinburgh Road and Lanwin Boulevard.
The houses are less than two miles apart and in adjacent neighborhoods, not far from West Windsor High School South. The WWPD believes both crimes were committed by two male suspects and that they moved between the two locations by vehicle.
Among the stolen items is a green felt bag that holds a rosewood box measuring 8 inches square and ten inches high that Robinson uses as an urn for his wife’s ashes. The WWPD believes that the thieves thought the box was filled with valuables. Costume jewelry was also stolen from Robinson’s home.
Prescription medication was missing from the other burglarized home.
In a press release, the WWPD stated “we are deeply troubled by the heinous act and will exhaust every lead in an effort to retrieve the victim’s loved one.”
In a phone interview with Det. Sgt. Matt Kemp of the WWPD, the last month has seen a notable reduction in the number of area burglaries, making this one all the more disturbing.
The WWPD is requesting that anyone with knowledge of the theft or who come into contact with the rosewood box please contact the West Windsor Township Police Detective Bureau with any tips or leads at 609-799-1222.
Additionally Crime Stoppers of Greater Trenton are offering up to a 1,000 dollar reward for information leading to the return of the item or the arrest of the suspects. Anyone with information can call them at 278-TIPS (8477) or submit it online at www.trentoncrimestoppers.com.
