A man and a woman have been arrested on charges including burglary and theft for allegedly stealing thousands in collection money from an Eatontown church recently.
Authorities have accused 44-year-old Brick resident Pedro Aviles and 49-year-old Wall resident Helen Dabrowski of stealing approximately $1,500 from the St. Dorothea Roman Catholic Church located on Broad Street in Eatontown.
Both defendants have been charged with burglary and theft for the alleged crime, which reportedly occurred on Monday, December 22nd. However, Aviles is facing a multitude of additional criminal charges including obstructing the administration of the law, eluding, resisting arrest, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
He was ordered held on $155,000 bail in the Monmouth County Correctional Facility after being taken into custody. The arresting officers say Aviles refused to comply with their instructions to stop his vehicle in Asbury Park on Monday, which led to the additional charges against him.
Dabrowski has been charged burglary, theft, conspiracy, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance and was also being held in the Monmouth County Jail, with her bail set at $15,000.
It is important to note that the defendants have been charged with separate crimes for burglary and theft. Under New Jersey law, these charges are distinct in that burglary offenses do not require the actual acquisition of stolen property or funds. In other words, a burglary crime involves illegal entry or trespassing with the intent to commit an offense but does not necessarily result in a theft crime being committed.
The seriousness of the crimes for which these two have been accused cannot be understated, as they could be facing multiple felony convictions if ultimately found guilty.
To read more about this case, access the following article: N.J. pair charged with stealing $1,500 in collection money from Eatontown church