Man Stole Car In Collingswood, Went On County Crime Spree: Police

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — A Lawnside man has been arrested after police say he stole a car in Collingswood and went on a crime spree across Camden County.

Erik Wallace, 47, has been charged with numerous counts of burglary, theft and criminal mischief in connection with burglaries that covered Gloucester Township, Berlin, Cherry Hill, Collingswood, Gloucester City, Haddon Heights, Pennsauken, and Somerdale, according to authorities.

Police said the burglaries began on Aug. 11, after a vehicle was reported stolen in Collingswood. Shortly thereafter, officers responded to a burglary in Gloucester City. The next day, the stolen vehicle was seen at a similar style burglary in Haddon Heights, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer.

On Aug. 13, the same car was seen along with a person matching Wallace’s description during two burglaries in Pennsauken, Mayer said. Wallace is then accused of committing four smash-and-grab burglaries in Cherry Hill on Aug. 13 and 14.

A few days later on Aug. 16, police in Somerdale responded to a similar burglary during which the stolen car was reported to have been seen, Mayer said.

The final burglaries involving the first stolen vehicle reported were on Aug. 18, in Gloucester Township, where officers responded to three incidents. It was found abandoned in Camden the same day, according to Mayer.

Police said Wallace stole a second car, this time in Camden on Aug. 21. He committed one more smash-and-grab burglary, in Berlin, that day, Mayer said.

Police said they found the second stolen car near Wallace’s home on the 200 block of Fairview Street in Lawnside. Wallace attempted to escape, but police said they caught him after a brief foot chase. He was caught while trying to get into the stolen car, Mayer said.

Police said they found items used in the burglaries, a cash register drawer, and a receipt with Wallace’s name on it while searching both stolen cars.

Throughout the investigation, detectives said they obtained surveillance footage from a handful of the burglaries. A man matching Wallace’s description is depicted in multiple videos, Mayer said.

“These crimes spanned across the entire Camden County area and required the coordination of more than eight police departments,” Mayer said. “This case highlights how important communication is between our law enforcement agencies. Without the hard work of detectives and officers from our office as well as the Borough of Berlin, Collingswood, Cherry Hill, Gloucester City, Gloucester Township, Haddon Heights, Pennsauken, and Somerdale, who knows how many more crimes could have been committed.”

Wallace was taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility awaiting a Centralized First Appearance.