Union City Chief of Police Charles Everett and Mayor Brian Stack announced Tuesday the arrest of three men suspected of committing multiple residential burglaries in the Union City area.
Sgt. Dominick DePinto and Det. Ruben Rodriguez of the city’s recently formed Anti-Burglary Unit arrested Ricardo Sanchez, 36 of Union City, on Dec. 27 as he was running into Union City from Jersey City. Police alleged that Sanchez was leaving a burglary scene and was in possession of property from the scene. Police alleged that further investigation led to the accomplices.
“These three individuals were [allegedly] working together for at least a year,” said Deputy Chief Joe Blaettler. “One was arrested in the act, [allegedly] fleeing from Jersey City into Union City.”
More arrests
Anthony Luis Rodriguez, 33, a.k.a. Jorge Rivera, of Jersey City was apprehended by Jersey City East District officers on Tuesday, Jan. 4, and charged with a burglary in Jersey City. Police say that further investigations had linked him to allegedly burglarizing a Union City detective’s home last August.
A day later, Union City burglary unit detectives arrested Richard Vargas at his home in Jersey City. They said they found him to be in possession of five bags of heroin, burglar tools, walkie-talkies, and a large quantity of property believed to be burglary proceeds.
Police were able to recover more than $10,000 worth of merchandise, and are currently attempting to contact the victims so they may come identify their stolen property. Among the stolen goods recovered were camcorders, gaming systems, cell phones, jewelry, video games and cash believed to be from fenced goods.
“They have been charged with 47 counts of burglary, [which included 23 counts in Union City],” said Dep. Chief Blaettler.
Burglary rate
According to Dep. Chief Blaettler, burglary is a problem in Union City, but not a rampant one, and it’s an issue the police department takes a serious approach to. In 2004 the burglary rate in Union City dropped 10 percent, with a total of 376 burglaries for the year. There has also been a 25 percent drop in the last five years for Union City.
“Even though we have a significant drop in burglaries each year, we can do better,” said Captain Brian Barrett.
The burglaries these three men allegedly committed were all on residential property, with much of the merchandise allegedly being housed by Vargas, police claimed.
“The message to people is to be aware of your surroundings, watch your neighbors and call the police to report suspicious behavior,” said Blaettler.
Community prevention
The Anti-Burglary Investigation Unit, which began its operation in 2004, is solely responsible for the investigation of burglaries in Union City, and has officers assigned full-time to these cases.
“The focus is on burglary, and if that is all they do, they become experts on it,” Barrett said. “We feel that it has been very successful,” said Blaettler.
The Union City Police Department offers home surveys to residents wishing to have their homes inspected for safety as a means of prevention, and offering safety tips. They want to stress community involvement and education to help keep the crime rate down.
Plus, through the home survey, residents will get the chance to get know their local law enforcement officials. Anyone interested in this service can call (201) 348-5780.
“Even though we’re doing a very good job, we’re not going to stop,” said Capt. Barrett. “There is more that can be done.”
To Capt. Barrett’s understaning, the New Jersey Legislature is currently reviewing harsher penalties for repeat offenders.
“We know there are people that are in jail or committing burglaries, and they should be held responsible,” he said.
Their fate
Rodriguez is charged with 14 counts of burglary and 14 counts of theft; Sanchez is charged with 13 counts of burglary and 13 counts of theft; and Vargas is charged with 20 counts of burglary, 20 counts of theft, possession of heroin, possession of burglar tools, and possession of stolen property.
Additional burglary charges are being filed in North Bergen and Jersey City.
Rodriguez and Vargas are currently being held without bail at the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny. Sanchez is being held there with bail at $50,000. RODRIGUEZ – Anthony Luis Rodriguez, 33, a.k.a. Jorge Rivera, of Jersey City was apprehended by the Jersey City East District officers on Tuesday, Jan. 4. SANCHEZ – Ricardo Sanchez, 36 of Union City was arrested on Dec. 27 by local police, allegedly while fleeing from a Jersey City burglary into Union City. VARGAS – Richard Vargas was arrested on Jan. 5 by Union City detectives at his home in Jersey City, and found to be in possession of five bags of heroin, burglar tools, walkie-talkies, and a large quantity of property believed to be burglary proceeds. RECOVERED – Union City Police say, they were able to recover well over $10,000 worth of stolen merchandise from the Jersey City home of Richard Vargas.