Cranford Teen Jailed After Burglarizing Multiple Squad Cars: Cops

CRANFORD, NJ - A 19-year-old Cranford man has been arrested and charged with theft after several squad cars were burlarized between July 28 and Aug. 2.

Jake Fichiera was picked up outside his home after an investigation, police said.

According to authorities, on July 28 the Cranford Police Department discovered a half dozen squad cars had been broken into while they were parked parked at the Cranford Municipal Building overnight. Fichiera gained entry to the vehicles by breaking their rear windows, police said.

Inside the vehicles, Fichiera rummaged through police equipment stored in the trunk area and in one instance physically removed a gun vault, which was bolted into the vehicle, police said. According to authorities, Fichiera attempted to make entry to the gun vault but was unsuccessful and only managed to steal a police “Raid” jacket with Cranford Police patches.

Police estimate that Fichiera caused over $4,000 in damage during the commission of the crime.

Using video surveillance from local businesses and residents the Cranford Police said they began to develop a suspect but before they could make an arrest, Fichiera struck again on Aug. 2. This time, Fichiera returned to the Municipal Building Parking Lot, broke into several more police cars and stole three bulletproof vests, an entry tool kit and a police gear bag, authorities said.

The Cranford Police Department Investigative Division was able to confirm the identity of Fichiera as their suspect by midday Friday and received charge approval from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office for two arrest warrants, police said.

Shortly after noon on Friday the Cranford Police Department Investigative Division took custody of Fichiera outside his home and charged him with four counts of Criminal Mischief and two counts of Burglary and Theft, police said.

He was processed and remanded to the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing. The Cranford Police Department recovered all three bulletproof vests, entry tool kit and police gear bag.

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