K-9 Unit Tracks Down Man After Attempted Break-In

A Maplewood man was arrested after a K-9 unit tracked his scent from a pushed-in window at a neighbor's house.

Residents on Park Avenue near Springfield Avenue were awakened by their alarm around 3 a.m. on Friday, December 17. When Maplewood police responded, they found that a basement window leading to a crawl space had been pushed in.

Maplewood police received assistance from Essex County Sheriff's Officer Dean Galluccio and his K-9 Unit dog named Bandit. Galluccio and Bandit were able to track a scent to another home on Park Avenue near Springfield Avenue  where they located Ervin Morales, 23, who resides at the home. Morales was taken into custody and charged with criminal mischief and criminal trespass. He was later released on bail. 

More details are found in the police blotter below which was supplied this week courtesy of Maplewood Police Department Captain Paul Conlon:

Dec. 13, 2010: Theft from Auto- A resident on Lewis Dr reported to Police that an unknown actor entered into his 2008 Nissan Altima between 7:00 pm on Dec. 12 and 4:00 pm on Dec. 13, 2010.  Once inside the auto the actor removed a GPS unit from the center console area of the car.  There was no damage reported to the Altima. A second car, a 2010 Cadillac was also entered but no items were reported missing.

Dec. 17, 2010: Warrant Arrest- Austine Oguh, 52, of Beverly Road, Springfield, NJ, was taken into custody by Detectives and officers from the Crime Suppression Team Friday morning in Springfield for warrants from Maplewood totaling $80,000. As the officers approached Oguh near his home he attempted to flee in his car and struck an unmarked Maplewood Police Car in his attempt to get away. In addition to the original Maplewood warrants Oguh was arrested and charged in Springfield with Eluding, 2 counts of Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Possession of a Weapon for unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Criminal Mischief. Oguh was turned over to the Union County Jail with bail set on the new charges at $100,000.

Dec. 17, 2010: Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass- Patrols responded to an alarm activation at 3:02 am to a home on Park Ave. Upon arrival Officer Dempsey and Sgt. Guglielmo met with the homeowners who were awakened by the alarm. The homeowners reported the activation point to be a rear basement window and an exterior check by the Officers located a window pushed in to a crawl space area. This area did not allow access to the basement. Officers Kisch and Palmerezzi began a search of the area and received assistance from Essex County Sheriff's Officer Galluccio and his K-9 Bandit. Officer Galluccio and Bandit were able to track a scent to another home on Park Avenue near Springfield Avenue and officers located Ervin Morales, 23, who resides at the home.