Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE DECEMBER 13, 2011
FACEBOOK BURGLAR FACES ADDITIONAL CHARGES

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III announced today the arrest of one individual for two burglaries that occurred in West Amwell Township on or about September 1, 2011.

On October 20, 2011, HCPO Detectives and West Amwell Township Police Officer John Casella executed a search warrant at the residence of Steven Pieczynski, age 36, of Goat Hill Road in West Amwell Township. Police from Newtown, Pennsylvania suspected Mr. Pieczynski in a burglary in that jurisdiction after the victims posted their vacation plans on Facebook. Mr. Pieczynski was Facebook “friends” with the victims and neighbors saw his vehicle near the victim’s residence on the evening of the burglary. Detectives arrested him after finding proceeds from the burglary in his residence. Today Prosecutor Kearns stated that, “Additional proceeds discovered in the residence during that search warrant led detectives to additional victims.”

The Prosecutor added, “The new charges were not connected to Facebook. Mr. Pieczynski targeted his neighbors during the power outages following Hurricane Irene.”

Pieczynski was charged with two counts each of Burglary, Theft, and Receiving Stolen Property. The Honorable Stephen B. Rubin, J.S.C. set bail on Mr. Pieczynski at $50,000. He was lodged in the Hunterdon County Jail where he posted bail and was released. The Prosecutor said the investigation is ongoing.

The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law. Questions can be submitted to the Prosecutor via fax to 908-806-4618.