Recently in North Bergen, there were an alarming number of car break-ins, especially along Kennedy Boulevard in the mid-section of the town.
“Every week, we do a criminal analysis of what goes on in the town,” said North Bergen Detective Joseph Gener, the department’s Public Information officer. “If a pattern emerges within a certain area, then it’s brought to the attention of the investigation division. In this case, we noticed a pattern of car break-ins and burglaries.”
This is different than car thefts, where the entire car is stolen. This rash of crime is centered on suspects breaking into a car and making off with its contents, such as money, purses, laptop computers, stereo equipment and jewelry.
Under the guidance of Police Chief Angelo Busacco, a task force was formed comprised of officers from the patrol and investigation and service divisions, in order to put extra surveillance in the area.
“We flooded the area with officers, and within two days we were able to start making arrests,” Gener said.
Police were able to arrest two men and one woman, as well as issue an arrest warrant for another male believed to have been involved in the burglary ring.
Alan Lobel, a 24-year-old resident of Union City, was arrested by Sgt. Robert Hovan, Sgt. Frank Cannella and Police Officer Erica Smallen last Wednesday.
Lobel was charged with 12 counts of burglary and theft to automobiles. He was also charged with violation of probation.
During the course of the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for 20-year-old Jill N. DeMarco, also known as Jill LaCarruba, of West New York. One day later, DeMarco was arrested in Jersey City by Jersey City police on multiple counts of burglary and theft to automobiles.
“It is believed that Lobel and DeMarco were working together,” Gener said.
Also on Thursday, around 11:45 a.m., while under surveillance, police officers Mark Francin and Constantinos Apostolakos arrested Jose Correader, a 33-year-old resident of North Bergen. Police say that the officers witnessed Correader allegedly committing a burglary and theft to an auto parked near 70th Street and Kennedy Boulevard.
Correader was allegedly in possession of a black bag belonging to the victim of the crime, police said. He was charged with burglary and theft.
“Correader was separate from the others,” Gener said. “It appears he was working alone.”
In addition to the three arrests, a criminal warrant has been issued for the arrest of 24-year-old Maliek Jenkins of Jersey City, who they suspect was working with Lobel and DeMarco. Jenkins is also wanted for burglary and theft to an auto.
“Jenkins is still at large right now,” Gener said.
All three prisoners were processed at North Bergen Police Headquarters and transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny. They still await an appearance before Central Judicial Processing, where bail will be set.
A conviction on one count of burglary could carry a sentence of five years of prison for each offense. The theft charges could carry sentences between six months and five years.
The value of the proceeds stolen exceeded $10,000.
According to Gener, the task force conducted the investigation in the targeted areas by using stationary and mobile surveillance, along with increased officer presence and electronic equipment.
“The pattern was established, and based on the crime statistics and the task force, we were able to act quickly,” Gener said. “Of course, auto theft is always a concern, but there has been a significant decrease since the arrests. We identified the problem, addressed it by deploying more manpower, and then got the job done quickly. It was a case of good policework.”