North Plainfield Police Department

Chief William G. Parenti

February 8, 2007

North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti announced the arrest of an individual for the burglary of a Route 22 business Wednesday night.   Ralph Runyan III, 30 years old,  of Belmont Avenue in North Plainfield was apprehended after burglarizing the Meineke Muffler shop at 714 Route 22 East. 

The Police Department received a call from an area resident that observed a subject kick in the glass door and then enter the business, which was closed at the time.  The resident provided a description of the suspect and the direction of flight as the suspect exited and ran from the business.

Police units converged on the area and a subject fitting the description was stopped by Detective Gene Segeda a short distance away on the other side of the highway.  Detective Segeda was immediately joined by Officers Robert Kropewnicki and Jesus Medina, as Runyan was taken into custody.    

The subsequent investigation positively identified Runyan as the burglar.  He was charged through the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office with burglary, theft and criminal mischief.  He was lodged in Somerset county Jail in lieu of bail.

Chief Parenti said “This was a great example of the community and police working together to apprehend criminals.  The resident immediately alerted the police facilitating a rapid response and apprehension of the violator.” 

Note:  We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven.