Burglars damaged more than $15,000 in property in closed facility

TRENTON – Human Services Police (HSP) today arrested three adults and a juvenile for the August break-in of the recently closed Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Parsippany, Commissioner Jennifer Velez announced today.

The suspects were arrested after a four-week-long intensive investigation lead by HSPD Major Crimes Unit, under the direction of Detective Sgt. Cliff Olsen, along with Detectives Steven Brink., Craig Metz, Brett Waller and John Mastalski.

Jamie Casey, 31, of Horsham , Pa. , Chad Goldberg, 25, of Huntington Valley , Pa. ; Rebecca Aspell, 19, of Lexington , Mass. , and a 17-year-old juvenile from Beverly , Mass. , were arrested and charged in connection with the break-in and vandalism.

“Human Services Police deserve credit for their dogged investigation into this crime,” DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez said. “These suspects not only defaced and stole valuable and historic Greystone property, but also the property of all of the taxpayers of New Jersey .”

HSPD Police Director Donald Haynes praised his officers for their dedication in solving the crime.

“Our officers worked hard to make sure the people who did this were found and prosecuted,” Haynes said. “We expect they will be brought to justice.”

Casey is charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief over $5,000; Goldberg was charged with burglary; Aspell was charged with burglary; and the juvenile, 17, who can not be identified because of his age, was charged with burglary and criminal mischief.

Casey is being held in the Morris County Jail on $5,000 bail set by Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Court Judge Leslie Silver; Goldberg and Aspell were released on their own recognizance by Silver.

The damage to the hospital was discovered at 10:40 a.m. on August 12th by staffers. The old building was locked and Human Services Police regularly patrol and monitor the old hospital as part of their duties on campus.

Extensive damage was reported after the vandalism including, the destruction of an architectural model of the new hospital - with an estimated cost of between $10,000 and $15,000 - ruined furniture and doors and telephone systems compromised.

The 132-year-old hospital was closed in July, when DHS opened a new state-of-the art facility on the same campus.

The State House Commission in March approved the auction of 130 surplus acres and buildings at Greystone, including the old hospital, the 1950s-era Abell complex and a series of smaller buildings.

DHS will seek the guidance of the Attorney General and Department of Treasury regarding filing for restitution during court proceedings.