Law Needs Teeth to Prevent Burglaries, State Senator Says

Republican State Sen. Kevin O'Toole has introduced legislation that would upgrade penalties for committing a residential burglary, potentially landing perpetrators in jail for a decade.

Current New Jersey law doesn't do enough prevent burglaries, according to State Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-40). But his proposed legislation will change all that, he contends. Introduced in the state assembly on Monday, the bill would upgrade charges for burglars entering occupied businesses/residences from a third-degree charge to a second-degree charge. A second-degree crime is punishable by a 5-10 year prison term and/or a fine of up to $150,000. That's significantly harsher than current penalties for burglars – a potential fine of $15,000 and/or 3-5 years in jail. O'Toole's bill would not allow for early release, he said. “It makes no sense that the burglary of an unoccupied vehicle is as criminal as the burglary of an occupied home or …

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Man Charged With Car Break-Ins

Police took man into custody Thursday morning after victims of car thefts positively identify items found in backpacks as theirs.

A 38-year-old Union City man was arrested early Thursday morning on 15th Street in connection with two car break-ins in Palisades Park and Fort Lee near 15th Street, Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas Ripoli reported. At approximately 4 a.m. Thursday morning, Palisades Park police alerted surrounding towns to be on the lookout for a male on a bike who had just committed a burglary to a parked vehicle on the border of Fort Lee and Palisades Park.  According to Ripoli, Fort Lee Police officers Mark Radoian and Anthony Bozzetti located the suspect, Juan Hernandez, who allegedly smelled of marijuana. In searching his backpack, police found a laptop, casino reward cards that did not belong to him and a small bag of marijuana, police said. Hernandez …

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Police: Fort Lee Home Burglars Caught in the Act

Three men wearing masks and carrying flashlights were caught after police surrounded the residence and found a pillowcase full of jewelry, authorities said.

Police interrupted a burglary in progress Thursday night, finding three men and a pillowcase filled with jewelry, authorities said. Derek Edwards, 45, of Hackensack, Steve Saulter, 44, and Walter Southerland, 39 —both of Teaneck— were charged with burglary, theft and possession of burglary tools. Police described the men as “known career burglars throughout the county,”  Fort Lee police units responded to a call of a burglary at 150 English St. at about 10 p.m. Thursday after a neighbor heard a loud noise, according to Fort Lee police. When they arrived at the scene, officers set up a perimeter after determining that the front door of the three-unit, three-storey condominium had been forced open with nobody at home, police said.  The …

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Man Steals Cash, Headphones from Fort Lee Home

Fort Lee police picked up the accused thief less than a half-mile from the residence on Bridle Way, arresting and charging him with burglary and theft.

A Paterson man was charged Wednesday with burglary and theft after allegedly entering a residence on Bridle Way and making off with cash and an expensive pair of headphones, police said. The Fort Lee Police Department received a call just after 1 p.m. that a burglary had occurred at the home. The resident told police that a man carrying a satchel over his shoulder had entered through an open door while a family member was in the home, police said. He also provided police with a physical description of the alleged burglar. All available police units responded to the area, and while en route, Det. Douglas Cabler saw a man fitting the description walking south on Palisade Avenue. After calling for backup, Cabler and Det. Howard Ginsburg …

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Two Men Charged In Connection With Pair of Home Burglaries

Burglars allegedly hit two residences on Riverdale Drive in Fort Lee Thursday night, making off with “numerous pieces of jewelry,” police said.

Fort Lee police arrested two men Thursday night in connection with two residential burglaries on Riverdale Drive, after a woman found one of the alleged burglars still in her home before he ran away, police said.  “The owner of the residence came home and confronted a male that was in her residence,” said Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas Ripoli. “The male ran out through the front door westbound on Riverdale Drive carrying a bag.” Police officer Dennis Pathos caught up with two men fitting the description provided by the homeowner walking near 1541 Lemoine Ave. after a brief search of the area, according to police. The two men had “numerous pieces of jewelry” in their possession, Ripoli said, adding that police believe the loot was taken from …

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5 Things You Need to Know

Five Things You Can Do To Prevent Burglary

Police offer advice for residents to protect their homes and property from burglary and theft.

To keep your home safe while away on vacation, local police offer the following tips to prevent you from becoming a victim of crime: Number one: Give your home the appearance of being occupied when you go out of town. Put both interior and exterior lights on a timer, as well as radios or television, for times they would normally be in use. Adjust blinds and draperies to make your house appear occupied. Number two: Always keep your doors and windows locked, and if you have an alarm system, keep it turned on when you go out and when you go to bed for the night. Number three: Do not have dry cleaning or packages left on your front stoop while you are out. Instead, arrange for a neighbor to collect packages for you or arrange for deliveries to…

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William Mays

10:26 pm on Thursday, August 11, 2011

I was just in Hoboken. I saw a woman go up to her house and there was a combination lock on a railing. She put the combination in and took out the front compartment and took her house key out. Pretty cool system. I have a camera system and intercoms at my house.   more ›