Police Arrest Man Accused of Leading Theft Ring That Targeted Homes in Bergen County, NJ
NJ police recently captured a person accused of leading a major racketeering and burglary ring that was behind more than 30 home burglaries committed across North Jersey.
According to Bergen County NJ prosecutors, the suspect was the acknowledged leader of a theft organization that illegally entered 31 houses in New Jersey from November 2015 to January 2016. The home burglaries went down in towns throughout Bergen County, Passaic County, and Union County, including Hackensack, Maywood, and Fair Lawn.
Bergen County NJ detectives and police officers from various police departments in New Jersey spent eight months conducting an investigation into the burglaries. Investigators eventually noticed a number of similarities between the different break-ins and thefts. For instance, the suspects usually targeted homes with jewelry and electronics that were easily accessible. The suspects also allegedly stole cash from the residences. Several of the thefts also involved the suspects using stolen pillowcases to carry the items from the houses to their getaway vehicles.
Law enforcement identified the main suspect as the person who allegedly got the burglary tools and cars needed to carry out the break-ins and thefts. The main suspect also reportedly took care of “fencing” the stolen goods and then dispersing cash to the other suspects.
The allegedly ringleader of the theft ring, a 45-year-old male from Passaic NJ, was apprehended at a home in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. He was the third member of the criminal enterprise to be placed under arrest in recent months.
The main suspect has been charged with numerous crimes, including racketeering, burglary, theft of movable property, dealing in stolen property, and conspiracy.
Among the other suspects in the burglary case are a 23-year-old Passaic man, a 28-year-old man from Old Bridge, and a 45-year-old Garfield NJ man.
For more information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Police Arrest Leader of Burglary Ring That Hit 31 Homes in Three Counties.”