Det. Egan Crucial In Solving 2022 Gas Station Robbery In Secaucus

SECAUCUS, NJ — Last Tuesday, Secaucus Police Det. Sean Egan and Officer Taylor Ensmann received the Excellent Police Service award.

Egan was given the award because he was critical in helping to solve the armed robbery of the BP gas station in the center of town last February.

The BP was robbed at gunpoint on Feb. 4, 2022. The robbery stunned the town, as it happened in broad daylight, just past 12 noon on a Friday, and the gas station attendant said two men each pointed a handgun at him and demanded all the cash he had on hand. The gas station attendant said he was still extremely upset months after the incident and that he no longer felt safe working in the center of Secaucus.

The two male suspects fled in a silver Honda that was later recovered in Newark, and one man was arrested while the other man ran off on foot. A cell phone was found in the car. By searching that phone, Det. Egan was able to positively identify the second male suspect.

Not only that, but Det. Egan was able to place that same suspect at several other gas station robberies throughout New Jersey last winter.

Det. Egan started working with federal agents from the U.S. Attorney's office and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) on the case. Thanks to his efforts, two serial gas station robbers in North Jersey were arrested and charged with multiple crimes — not just the robbery of the Secaucus BP. Initial report: Secaucus Gas Station Robbed At Gunpoint (Feb. 2022)

Ensmann, who was not present at the awards ceremony, received the award because he helped with an active shooter situation in West New York last June. A West New York police officer was shot in that incident, but survived. Ensmann is the same police officer who owns the Secaucus Police therapy dog, Oakley. Oakley is his own personal dog and it was Ensmann who suggested using the dog as a therapy dog in the police department. Secaucus Boy Scouts Meet Oakley, SPD's Therapy Dog

Finally, also at last Tuesday's ceremony officers Mikhail Kowlesser and Michael Borrelli received the 2023 PBA award. Kowlesser received it in part because he saved the life of a choking infant in 2021.

All the reporting from last Tuesday's awards ceremony:

Secaucus Police Officer Sigmund Stayed Behind To Look For Suspect

Secaucus Police Officer Manente Creates Town's First-Ever Autism Registry

Secaucus Police Officers Helped Uncover Georgia Gun-Smuggling Ring

Secaucus Police Stop Car, Then Find Illegal Guns In Aloft Motel Room

Secaucus Police Officer Jude Masullo Named Officer Of The Year

17 Secaucus Police Officers Recognized