Two New Jersey Men Arrested for Multiple Burglaries at the Former Rodney Dorm Complex

On February 26, 2019, officers conducted a follow-up investigation into a burglary that occurred on February 18th at the former site of the Rodney Dormitory Complex on Hillside Road.  During the burglary, copper piping had been removed from the property.  During the investigation, the officers obtained new suspect vehicle information and an employee observed the same truck in the area of the dorms.  An officer in the area located the suspect vehicle on Cheltenham Road and contacted the occupants, who were identified as Thomas McCoog  and Joshua Lanigan, both of Maple Shade, New Jersey.  McCoog and Lanigan were taken into custody by Newark officers.  Newark Police Detectives executed a search warrant on the vehicle and located copper in the bed of the truck.  Additional evidence, including  witness statements, surveillance footage and evidence located from the vehicle were used to link McCoog and Lanigan to burglary incidents from February 18, February 25 and February 26, 2019.

Thomas McCoog, 40 years-of-age, was charged with:

• Burglary Third Degree (3 counts)
• Conspiracy Second Degree (2 counts)
• Theft Under $1500 (3 counts)

McCoog appeared via video before a Justice of the Peace Court and was released after posting $4,000 secured bail.

Joshua Lanigan, 37 years-of-age, was charged with the same offenses.  He appeared via video before a Justice of the Peace Court  and was released on his own recognizance.

Anyone with additional information about these incidents can contact Newark Police via any method from our tips page.