Mystery Unravels: New Jersey’s Dunkin’ Donuts Heist Saga Revealed

A Newark man stands accused of embarking on a calculated burglary spree through New Jersey’s Dunkin’ Donuts outlets.

Key Insights

Enajaim E. Bowman allegedly stole over $18,000 in cash and gift cards across 14 Dunkin’ locations.
The spree caused approximately $10,000 in damages over two months.
Burglaries spanned across four New Jersey counties: Bergen, Middlesex, Morris, and Union.
Security footage was crucial, leading to Bowman’s arrest and multiple charges.

Break-In Strategy and Execution

Enajaim E. Bowman methodically planned and executed burglaries at 14 Dunkin’ Donuts stores across New Jersey. Each incursion typically involved prying open doors or windows, targeting cash registers, managers’ offices, and strongboxes. Police attributed Bowman’s consistent method—resulting in $18,000 in cash and $10,000 in damages—to a clear pattern discerned through surveillance footage. His acts took place primarily between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., evading immediate detection while garnering substantial illicit gains.

The spree spanned locations including Chatham, Edison, and East Hanover. However, not all attempts succeeded. An attempted break-in at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Edison, for instance, left Bowman empty-handed but inflicted $500 in property damage. Only one attempt was thwarted entirely in Emerson, demonstrating both the reach and the occasional vulnerability of his campaign.

Role of Law Enforcement

Authorities pursued Bowman vigorously, leading to multiple agencies collaborating on the investigation. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Hackensack police, and Union Township police gathered concrete evidence through diligent analysis of security footage. The Bergen County Crime Reduction Task Force, including local detectives, significantly contributed to the collection and interpretation of evidence. As a result of these comprehensive efforts, Bowman ultimately surrendered himself to the authorities.

Bowman’s surrender came after a thorough investigation by the Hackensack Police Department and contributions from county prosecutor offices and local police. Following his apprehension, Bowman faced multiple charges, including 14 counts of third-degree burglary, one count of third-degree attempted burglary, and various other associated offenses.

Awaiting Judicial Proceedings

Currently, Bowman is held at Bergen County Jail, anticipating his first court appearance. His case underscores the challenges of preventing retail crime that strategically exploits vulnerabilities in widespread chain stores. Such incidents underlie the criticality of coordinated local and county law enforcement efforts to manage and mitigate criminal activities impacting communities and businesses alike.

Bowman is expected to appear soon before the court to answer for his alleged crimes, which have triggered widespread attention due to the scale and methodic nature of the offenses. The legal proceedings will further illuminate details surrounding this case of burglary and theft.