Sheds, Home Entered On Maple Street In Secaucus, Police Report

SECAUCUS, NJ — Maple Street in Secaucus was hit by a rash of burglaries last month, Secaucus police said. So far, two suspects have been apprehended, a 14-year-old from Jersey City and 17-year-old from Manalapan in Monmouth County, NJ. Police would not comment how the two teens knew each other, or if more suspects are still being sought.

It was mostly sheds or garages that were broken into, and one home was burglarized, said Capt. Dennis Miller. Maple Street is a quiet side street near the Secaucus library and near the Rt. 3 walking bridge overpass. In total, one home was burglarized. The remaining six were either sheds or garages.

The break-ins occurred during the day on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Residents of Born and Maple streets called police to report that unlocked sheds were broken into. One of the teens drove off in a motorbike, and the other drove off in a car. They also took cash and jewelry from the residences, police said.

At last week's Council meeting, a Secaucus police officer warned the community to not leave doors unlocked, even though Secaucus appears to be a very safe town.

The Jersey City teen was found with the motorbike that same day, Jan. 24, at 9:15 p.m. that evening. The Manalapan teen was wanted by Secaucus police, and he was arrested last Monday, Jan. 29. He was already wanted on an outstanding warrant in Monmouth County. They were charged with seven counts of burglary and six counts of theft.

Some of the sheds/garages were unlocked, while others showed signs of being forced open.

A resident of the block told Patch that one of the sheds broken into belonged to a Secaucus police officer, and it was his motorbike that was stolen. But Capt. Miller declined to confirm if that was true, saying he would not comment on the home addresses of police officers.

In some of the break-ins, nothing was taken.

Carl Vorhees, a Secaucus resident who has lived on the block for many years, said most neighbors were aware of the incidents. He said his home was not affected, but his home was burglarized about five years ago, during a similar string of break-ins on the block. He thinks Maple Street may be targeted because people think they can have an easy get-away onto Rt. 3. However, there is no access to Rt. 3 from Maple Street.

Both boys were taken to the Union County Correctional Center, which houses juveniles arrested in Hudson County.

Photos by Carly Baldwin/Secaucus Patch