Crime & Safety
Fair Lawn Vehicle Burglar Caught Friday, Police Say
Fred Harakandi, 18, of Leonia, stole two computers, a cell phone, and money from the vehicles, police said.
FAIR LAWN, N.J. — A serial burglar who stole two computers and money from several cars was caught Friday after a resident found him inside his car, police said.
Police responded to a Arcadia Road home at 4:10 a.m. after a resident caught Fred Harakandi, 18, of Leonia, inside his unlocked vehicle, Sgt. Brian Metzler said. The resident saw Harakandi after going outside to turn off his sprinklers.
Harakandi ran onto Midland Avenue after falling and dropping change taken from the vehicle, Metzler said.
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Officer Brian Rypkema later found Harakandi on Broadway at East 55th Street in Elmwood Park, police said.
Harakandi was arrested after police found two laptop computers, valued at $2,000, a cell phone, and change that were taken from three other unlocked vehicles on Midland Avenue, police said.
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Harakandi was charged with four counts each of burglary and theft, Metzler said.
Fair Lawn police ask residents to lock their vehicles at night to help, "avoid crimes of opportunity like this," Metzler said.
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