Burglar broke into NJ home … and went to sleep, police say

HILLSBOROUGH — Sleeping on the job probably isn't the smartest move when your "job" is stealing things from other people's houses.

A Somerset County man is facing third-degree burglary and theft charges after a township resident said she returned home to find him snoozing in her bedroom.

Police caught Alexander T. Torres, 24, of South Bound Brook, Thursday morning after the homeowner awakened him from his slumber and he calmly walked out the door without so much as a "good morning."

The woman, who arrived with her 12-year-old son at their Nostrand Road residence 7:40 a.m., said she found Torres lying with his back on the floor next to her bed. She called 911 after first noticing an open garage door and the the house's bedrooms turned upside down.

The woman called 911 and snapped pictures of the dozing thief, prosecutors said.

Torres was arrested on Campbell Road. Police found the child’s back back in a nearby lawn filled with electronic devices from the home and a dollar coin, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson’s office said Friday.

He was being held Friday at Somerset County Jail awaiting trial. Bail was set at $50,000.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.