2 Individuals Linked To 100 Monmouth County Car Burglaries: Cops

MONMOUTH COUNTY - Two individuals were arrested by New Jersey State Police earlier this month for allegedly committing two armed robberies and approximately 100 vehicle burglaries throughout Monmouth County.

Mario Mondragon, 21, of Long Branch, and Genaro Guzman, 21, of Shrewsbury Township, were arrested on Oct. 8 by detectives from the Troop “C” CIO, State Police Fugitive Unit, K9 Unit, alongside members of the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Task Force.

Mondragon and Guzman were charged with armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon – handgun without permit, unlawful possession of a weapon – other weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose – firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose – other weapon, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, burglary and theft.

The two men allegedly burglarized a vehicle at a Shrewsbury Township residence on May 16 when the pair were confronted by the homeowners. During the confrontation, the suspects reportedly brandished a handgun and taser before fleeing.

On June 6 in Eatontown Borough, the duo sprayed a deliveryman with oleoresin capsicum (pepper) spray and physically assaulted him during a robbery, according to a statement from New Jersey State Police.

A subsequent investigation linked Mondragon and Guzman to an additional 100 vehicle burglaries in Monmouth County between April and June 2020.

State Police detectives with the Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office (CIO), along with members of the Eatontown Borough Police Department, Tinton Falls Police Department, Ocean Township Police Department, and Long Branch Police Department, identified Mondragon and Guzman as the suspects in armed robberies in Shrewsbury Township and Eatontown Borough over the course of a five-month investigation, according to the statement.

Both Mondragon and Guzman are being lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending a bail detention hearing.

The case is being prosecuted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

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