Suspects Apprehended for Car Burglary

PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Local residents Joshua Zarnowski and Jacob Van Diense were arrested on charges of criminal mischief and conspiracy in relation to the recent car burglaries that took place in the Holderness parking lots, where eleven cars were looted after having their windows smashed. Recently, a female student, who had prior tampering done to her vehicle due to a similar crime, witnessed two young men attempting to perform what is referred to as a “smash and grab”. The crime termed “smash and grab” by local police, is exactly as it sounds as assailants smash in the windows of a car and grab the owners possessions. The student placed a call to the University Police as soon as the accident occurred, claiming to have seen someone get out of a car and apparently case the parking lot and break the window of a nearby car. Once the suspects noticed the young woman was watching them they immediately fled the scene. The student gave an extremely vivid and accurate description of the suspects and their vehicle, who were subsequently arrested later that evening by local authorities. Zarnowski and Diense were arrested on charges of criminal mischief and conspiracy, respectively. “Their method of operation was the same as the previous burglaries and there have been no cases since, but unfortunately there was no property to link them and no confession,” said University Police Lieutenant Comeau, “One can draw their own conclusions.”The parking lots in Holderness near the Physical Education center have been a car burglary hot spot for years, as there are vast number of vehicles set away from the pedestrian’s eye. “I wouldn’t call it an epidemic, but each year our parking lots are visited and thefts do occur,” explains Comeau. “It is hard for us to keep a constant watch at all parking lots at all times.” There is primitive surveillance equipment in the parking lots, and University Police, particularly in the evenings, are busy patrolling other activities on and around the Plymouth campus, leaving the lots relatively vulnerable to crime. People are also aware that the cars belong to college students and many of the cars contain CD players, snowboards and other valuable items. “We understand student’s funds are not exuberant, we are doing everything we can to deal with it,” University Chief of Police John Clark said of the situation. “We greatly appreciate students help, without quick response arrests like this would not be made,” said Clark, “Every time an arrest like this is made it is because a student didn’t hesitate to call.” Due to a lack of officers available to patrol the parking lots at any given time, students are often each others best aides in maintaining a watchful eye on one another’s belongings. “An increase of eyes would help,” said Comeau. Zarnoowski and Van Diense have both been charged with class-A misdemeanors and have been arraigned, but a trial date has yet to be set. The University Police assured that the suspects will receive the appropriate prosecution. “We understand how upset students get and we are not cold to that issue,” said Clark. Those who witness a crime or any suspicious behavior should not hesitate to call University police at (603) 535-2330 or visiting their website at www.plymouth.edu/cpolice.