Authorities: Man planning robbery inadvertently calls 911

BRANCHBURG, N.J. (AP) – Authorities say a man planning a burglary inadvertently dialed 911, allowing dispatchers to listen in on his conversation.

Somerset County prosecutors say Branchburg police received the errant call on July 27, but were unsure of the caller’s location. They learned that the phone number had recently been assigned to 42-year-old Scott Esser, of Elizabeth.

Esser was arrested Wednesday, after he allegedly entered a Stafford Township home. He’s now charged with that burglary and others in Branchburg and Berkeley Heights.

Authorities say the Branchburg robbery occurred the same day Esser allegedly made the inadvertent phone call.

Esser’s bail was set at $100,000 and it wasn’t known Saturday if he has retained an attorney.