Crime & Safety

Have You Seen Him? Cops Say Man May Have Posed as Utility Worker, Burglarized Homes

Woodbridge man currently jailed in Morris County after alleged burglary attempt in Mendham Twp, police say.

A Woodbridge man currently jailed in Morris County after allegedly breaking into a Mendham Township home earlier this week may have done the same to other homes in the area, and police are asking for the public’s help.

Salvator Fazio, of Woodbridge, turned himself in Thursday afternoon, Mendham Twp. Police Lt. Ross Johnson said.

Two days earlier, Fazio, allegedly dressed in fluorescent vest and hard hat, knocked on the front door of a township home but did not receive an answer, Johnson said. Fazio then allegedly went to the rear of the home and entered the residence through a back door, Johnson said.

Find out what's happening in Montvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

While allegedly attempting to steal two boxes of jewelry, Fazio was confronted by a homeowner who had been in a different room the entire time, Johnson said. The man then fled the home.

Fazio is lodged on $35,000 bail with a court appearance scheduled for Jan. 28. He’s been charged with burglary and criminal trespass.

Find out what's happening in Montvillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Police are asking for the public’s help, saying he may have attempted a number of other burglaries in the area in the past week. Anyone who encountered Fazio on their property is asked to contact the Mendham Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 973-543-2584.

Subscribe to a free email newsletter and breaking news alerts by clicking on the Patch town name: Long Valley Mendham-Chester Morristown Parsippany Hackettstown Morris Township Jefferson Hopatcong-Sparta East Hanover-Florham Park Madison Chatham Montville Tri-Boro

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.