MONROE — Police have arrested a township man in connection with the burglary of a neighbor’s house, and are increasing patrols in response to two other recent burglaries.

The first burglary reported was on Jan. 21, when an 88-year-old resident of Buckelew Avenue returned home at 5:20 p.m. to find her breezeway entrance door broken. The woman called police, who responded and found that various jewelry items had been taken from the residence.

A Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit responded to assist Monroe police in the investigation, and led officers on a path to a nearby home. Police said the victim’s jewelry items were found on the ground along the route taken by the suspect. The track led to the home of the suspect, 28- year-old Frank Valletutti, also of Buckelew Avenue.

Police arrested Valletutti, charging him with burglary, theft and possession of burglary tools. He was turned over to the Middlesex

County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, with bail set at $50,000, according to Monroe police.

Two unsolved burglaries occurred Jan. 24 and 29. Aresident of Edgewood Avenue, off Monmouth Road, reported that the home was burglarized between 10 a.m. and noon. The unknown suspect entered the home through an unlocked rear door and took the victim’s jewelry.

At 7 p.m. Jan. 29, police responded to an activated burglar alarm on Elliot Drive, near Buckelew Avenue and Mounts Mills Road. Upon arrival, the responding officer found an open rear door and forced entry to a rear window. Further investigation of the scene revealed that although the home was entered, no loss was sustained beyond the damage to the rear window.

Police said patrols have been increased in these areas, and anyone with information regarding the events was asked to contact the Monroe Township Police Department Detective Bureau at 732-521-0222.