NORTH BRUNSWICK — After police caught a man breaking into a second Middlesex County businesses in three days, the accused burglar expressed disbelief that he was released on bail so quickly after his first arrest, police said.
George Pescavage Jr.
Under the header “Here’s an interesting story” with the hashtags “#BailReform #TheNewNormal” on a Facebook post, police said George Pescavage Jr. also vowed to commit another burglary if he’s released from jail again.
“He indicated to Detectives that even he couldn’t believe that he was plainly released after just four hours,” North Brunswick police said on Facebook. “He was again transported to Middlesex County Corrections by our Department, indicating that if he is again released so soon, he will again commit a similar crime in order to get by.”
The department is the latest law enforcement agency to challenge the bail reform efforts adopted in New Jersey this year.
Gov. Chris Christie, however, harshly rejected recent opposition to bail reform as “ridiculous” propaganda on Monday night during his monthly call-in show “Ask the Governor,” on New Jersey 101.5-FM. He didn’t mention police, instead going after bail bondsman who he said stand to lose a considerable amount of revenue under the new rules.
Bail reform has been a ‘challenge’ for law enforcement, prosecutor says
“The bail bonds community has made a fortune over the years predominantly on the backs of poor people in New Jersey,” Christie said on NJ 101.5. “We are now stopping them from doing it and they’re pissed. Too bad. You shouldn’t be making money off the poor that way.”
Pescavage Jr., 47, was arrested Sunday in North Brunswick after he broke into Quick Aid Pharmacy on Milltown Road by entering through a rear door, police said. He was found across the street at the Brunswick Shopping Center and admitted to the break in, police aid.
Police in neighboring South Brunswick arrested Pesavage on Friday after he was found hiding behind an 8-foot snowbank after allegedly breaking into a liquor store.
South Brunswick police said Pesavage’s clothes were soaked and he was suffering from frostbite on a morning when temperatures ranged from the high teens to the low 20s.
The bail reform changes have resulted in legal challenges. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office fought the release of Christopher Wilson, 20, a convicted sex offender who was accused of trying to solicit sexual favors from a 12-year-old.
A Superior Court judge ruled he didn’t pose a threat and ordered him to stay away from the girl and wear a GPS monitoring bracelet. The case will be taken to the state’s Supreme Court.
Police went door-to-door in Little Egg Harbor Township to warn residents of Wilson’s release last week.
Last month, Absecon police joked about bail reform on Facebook after seizing a bag of marijuana. The post showed marijuana in a plastic bag with the words, “Candy Kush,” in marker on it.
It read, “I guess writing oregano across the bag would have been too obvious. If you were supposed to buy some Candy Kush this weekend, we have it here at the #Absecon PD. Just stop on down and ask.” #Dank #YourWeedManIsinJail. #JustKidding #HeIsNotinJail #BailReform.
The changes, which virtually eliminated the cash bail system and replaced it with a risk-assessment formula, were meant to allow judges to order violent offenders held before trial and keep low-level defendants from languishing in jail simply because they were too poor to post bail.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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