Mahwah Burglar Arrested Months After Jewelry, Gun Thefts: Police

MAHWAH, NJ — A man was arrested and charged with burglary and theft after he broke into three borough homes last year and stole more than $15,000 worth of jewelry, police announced Friday.

Brian Sessions, 47, of Jersey City, was charged with four counts of theft, two counts of burglary and committing a burglary while in possession of a firearm, said Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli. He also allegedly sexually assaulted a woman during the course of another burglary.

Two homes off of Hilltop Road and one off of Ridge Road were burglarized in June 2017.

Images of suspect committing the Ridge Road burglaries were obtained by an in-home surveillance system, Batelli said.

More than $15,000 in jewelry, two guns and other items were stolen from the homes, Batelli said.

Mahwah detectives investigated and learned that Morris County detectives were investigating similar burglaries and they exchanged information.

Mahwah detectives gathered electronic data and forensics from the three homes. This led to the Sessions' arrest and charges being filed against him, Batelli said.

Sessions also allegedly sexually assaulted a Morris County woman while robbing her home.

Sessions had a stun gun on him during one of the Morris County burglaries when a woman homeowner walked in on him, Batelli said. Sessions tied the woman up by her wrists and ankles, covered her mouth and sexually assaulted her, Batelli said.

Sessions admitted to Morris County authorities he tied the woman up, but denied sexually assaulting her, Batelli said.

Sessions is being held in the Morris County Jail awaiting a court appearance, the chief said.

Mahwah Detective Eric Larsen led the investigation. He was assisted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office and Morristown Police Department.

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Photo: Brian Sessions, 47, of Jersey City/Mahwah Police Department