3 People Found Sleeping on Montgomery Township Roadways in Unrelated Incidents, August Police Blotter

By Barbara A. Preston | August 28, 2025

Montgomery Police were busy in the last 30 days — arresting three individuals who had fallen asleep in unrelated incidents on township roadways. Two were found along Route 518 and one on Great Road.

Police Arrest Alleged Burglar Sleeping on a Skillman Roadside

Montgomery Police responded to Route 518 near Opossum Road for a male reportedly laying by a Skillman roadway on July 31 at 2:09 am. Officers located John Exner, 36, of Bordentown/Trenton, lying on the grass adjacent to Route 518.  Exner stated he was walking and became tired, police said.

John M. Exner, wanted for burglary in Trenton, found sleeping on the Route 518 roadside at Opossum Road.

Photo: Burlington County Sheriff's Office.

Exner had active warrants from Trenton City and NJ State Parole. The Bordentown Police Department had arrested Exner in August 2020 for burglary, theft, and trespassing offenses, following citizen reports of criminal activity. Exner allegedly entered several unlocked vehicles in Bordentown and removed items. Surveillance video also showed him allegedly walking up onto homeowners’ porches and trying to open their front doors.

While records show that Exner was charged in 2020 with multiple counts of burglary, theft, criminal trespass and resisting arrest, along with unlawful possession of a weapon, a knife — The Montgomery News could not find conviction records at press time.

Montgomery police arrested Exner on July 31, 2025, and transported to MTPD HQ for processing.  Montgomery police then handed off Exner to officers from NJ State Parole office.

Thiemarx Terrace Burglaries in Skillman

Two Thiemarx Terrace residents reported a burglaries to their residences near the Route 518/Opossum Road intersection. Jewelry and cash were taken on multiple occasions in August.

Victim No. 1 told Montgomery Township police that an individual entered their unlocked residence at about 4 am on Saturday,  August 23. The individual also entered an unlocked vehicle of the victim, stealing the keys.  While investigating, the victim also informed Montgomery police that someone stole about $1,500 from the residence six weeks prior to the most recent burglary attempt.

A second resident of Thiemarx Terrace reported a burglary to their residence as well. The resident told Montgomery police that jewelry was stolen some time during the month of August.  The detective bureau is investigating.

Driver Asleep Behind the Wheel at Route 518/206 Intersection, Charged with DWI

Montgomery Police were dispatched to the intersection of routes 518 and 206 for a person asleep in a vehicle, delaying traffic, on August 21 at 10:36 pm.

Montgomery Officer DeCataldo located the vehicle, occupied by Hashem Tayeh, 38, of Franklin Township. Tayeh was asleep in the driver’s seat.

Once awakened, Officer DeCataldo determined Tayeh had consumed alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Tayeh was arrested and transported to MTPD HQ for processing, where he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Open Container of Alcohol in a Vehicle, Delaying Traffic, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, and Refusal to submit to breath testing.  Tayeh was then turned over to Franklin Police due to an active warrant for his arrest.

Driver Asleep at the Wheel by Country Club Drive, Charged with DWI

Officer Christopher Parlow observed a Tesla stopped in the lane of travel with its hazard lights flashing on Great Road near Country Club Drive on August 10 at 4:30am. Officer Parlow found the driver, Shane Thomas, 31, of Philadelphia, asleep in the driver’s seat. 

While investigating, Officer Parlow determined Thomas consumed alcoholic beverages prior to operating the vehicle.  Thomas was arrested for driving while intoxicated and transported to MTPD HQ for processing. Thomas was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to breath tests, reckless driving, careless driving, delaying traffic and lamps required.  Thomas is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Municipal Court.

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Man Arrested for DWI on Willow Run in Belle Mead

On August 9 at 9:04 pm, Officer Christopher Parlow stopped a vehicle on Willow Run operated by Richard Dagosta, 38, of Manalapan. During the stop, Officer Parlow determined Dagosta consumed alcoholic beverages prior to driving the vehicle.  Dagosta was arrested for driving while intoxicated and transported to MTPD HQ for processing.  Dagosta was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and careless driving and is scheduled to appear in Montgomery Municipal Court.

Check Reported Stolen from Skillman Post Office

On August 15, a Skillman resident reported a check that was mailed at the Skillman Post Office was stolen and altered for payment to a different person.  The check was mailed using the outside drop box.  The detective bureau is investigating.

Hit-and-Run Car Crash

On August 22 at 3 pm, Montgomery Police responded to the parking lot of Montgomery Discount Wine store on Route 206 for a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash.  The involved party provided officers with the information of the fleeing vehicle.

Officers responded the residence of the fleeing vehicle and spoke with the driver, Raghukish Veligeti, 44, of Belle Mead. While speaking with Veligeti, officers determined he consumed alcoholic beverages.  Veligeti was subsequently arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and transported to MTPD HQ for processing.  Veligeti was charged with Driving While Intoxciated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, and Refusal to submit to breath testing, as well as motor vehicle summonses related to the crash.  

Burglary to a Vehicle

On August 24 at 10:22 am, a Boulder Brook Court resident reported a burglary to a vehicle.  The victim reported finding the vehicle door slightly ajar, and the interior rummaged through.  The victim reported the theft of 60 dollars.  The detective bureau is investigating.  

Montgomery Police want to remind residents to remove valuables from vehicles and ensure that cars and homes are locked to help prevent crime in our community.