Police in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey recently arrested a man accused of breaking into vending machines, subsequently charging him with offenses including burglary, theft, resisting arrest, possession of burglar tools, and criminal trespass.
According to officials, 45-year-old Willingboro, New Jersey resident Joseph Walthour allegedly broke into coin-operated vending machines at the Storybook Land amusement park in Egg Harbor Township. Officers arrived on the scene at approximately 6:10 a.m., before the theme park had opened, at which point Walthour fled into a wooded area in an attempt to escape. Police eventually caught and arrested him.
Walthour, who was being held at the Atlantic County jail with his bail set at $15,000, could be subject to severe penalties if he is ultimately convicted. For example, burglary crimes, which are governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, can be considered a second or third degree felonies. A third degree burglary becomes a second degree burglary if anyone is injured as a result of the burglary or if the burglar is armed at the time of the offense.
Second degree burglaries are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, while third degree burglaries may not lead to incarceration if the defendant has no prior criminal record. However, a conviction for third degree burglary could result in a prison sentence ranging from 3 to 5 years.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: No Storybook ending for NJ man charged with stealing from amusement park
