NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–The jewelry belonging to the victim of a home invasion in Hillsborough were recovered by police in an unlikely place.

Michael Szymanik, 22, and Dean Dahlstrom, 23, allegedly broke into a Hillsborough home June 13 and stole jewelry and coins, only to toss the stolen goods in a trash can at a McDonald’s in New Brunswick, NJ.com reports.

The victim’s grandson contacted police and recognized one of the men as Szymanik. Police stopped the vehicle that Szymanik was driving and Dahlstrom was his passenger, according to NJ.com.

When questioned, Dahlstrom admitted that he and Szymanik had burglarized the residence and voluntarily turned over gold jewelery, coins, and drug paraphernalia, police said.

Dahlstrom explained that he and Szymanik smashed a window on a rear door and both went inside. After leaving the home, the men went to the McDonald’s to sort through the jewelry which was later recovered from the garbage cans at the restaurant, NJ.com reports.

Despite Dahlstrom’s story, Szymanik denied any role in the burglary.

Both men were charged with burglary and theft and sent to the Somerset County Jail.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.