of aggravated manslaughter and burglary do not merge.
State v. Lewis, 223 N.J. Super. 145, 151-53 (App. Div.),
certif. denied, 111 N.J. 584 (1988). The crimes of
burglary and intentional murder do not merge. State v.
Loftin, 287 N.J. Super. 76, 113 (App. Div.), certif. denied,
144 N.J. Super. 175 (1996).
Only two Appellate Division opinions have found
that the second degree crime of burglary and aggravated
sexual assault merge. State v. Ramos, 217 N.J. Super. 530,
539 (App. Div. 1987) (unlawful entry is element of
aggravated sexual assault); State v. Sempsey, 141 N.J.
Super. 317, 325 (App. Div. 1976), certif. denied, 74 N.J.
272 (1977). Recent courts reject the Ramos merger, and
hold “that the Legislature intended to and did create
separate and distinct offenses for burglary and sexual
assault.” State v. Adams, 227 N.J. Super. 51, 63-67 (App.
Div.), certif. denied, 113 N.J. 642 (1988); State v. Lozada,
257 N.J. Super. 260, 278 (App. Div.), certif. denied, 130
N.J. 595 (1992); See also State v. Mosch, 214 N.J. Super.
457, 462-65 (App. Div. 1986), certif. denied, 107 N.J.
131 (1987).
VI. POSSESSION OF BURGLAR’S TOOLS
According to N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5, it is unlawful to
manufacture or possess a tool or device that facilitates any
N.J.S.A. 2C:20-1 et seq. crime or “forcible entry into
premises” when the actor knew that the device or tool can
be used or adapted for such a criminal purpose, and the
actor purposely used or gave to another the device or tool
for that criminal purpose. N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5a. See State v.
Gertrude, 309 N.J. Super. 354, 358 (App. Div. 1998)
(conviction under N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5 “requires an
assessment of intent or state of mind”).
It is also unlawful to publish instructions or plans on
how to make or use burglar tools or devices when the actor
knew that the publication or plan would be used to
commit any N.J.S.A. 2C:20-1 et seq. crime or “forcible
entry into premises.” N.J.S.A. 2C:5-5b. A
manufacturer, publisher or user of a burglar tool or device
is subject to a fourth degree crime. Other offenders are
subject to a disorderly persons offense.
The statute defines a burglar tool to include “any
engine, machine, tool or implement.” Screwdriver,
hammers and chisels have been found to be burglar tools.
State v. Grawe, 327 N.J. Super. 579, 587 (App. Div.
2000), certif. denied 164 N.J. 560, (2000) (hand held
hammer used to smash jewelry case), certif. denied, 164
N.J. 560 (2000); State v. Jenkins, 299 N.J. Super. 61, 63-
64 (App. Div. 1997) (hammer); State v. Klein, 91 N.J.
Super. 509 (App. Div. 1966) (screwdriver); State v.
Robinson, 289 N.J. Super. at 447 (screwdriver); State v.
Young, 57 N.J. 240, 255 (1970) (chisel), cert. denied, 402
U.S. 929, 91 S.Ct. 1527, 28 L.Ed. 2d 863 (1971); State
v. Delibero, 149 N.J. at 93 (chisel, two pry bars and police
scanner).A conviction for the crime of breaking and entering
does not merge with the offense of possession of burglar’s
tools. Hence, a defendant may receive consecutive
sentences. State v. Craig, 48 N.J. Super. 276, 279 (App.
Div. 1958).