Police Investigating Perfume Thieves' Possible Ties to Other Burglaries

State Police are investigating whether a crew of burglars arrested on Saturday are connected to a series of similar heists in the area.

"We're going to carry on to see what if any other activities we're aware of that are linked to the same crew," State Police Sgt. Stephen Jones said Tuesday.

"This was a professional, seasoned operation," he said.

The five men were arrested on Saturday, three as they were caught unloading pallets of Ed Hardy brand perfume worth more than $500,000 from Contract Filling Inc., a perfume factory and warehouse on Cliffside Drive in Cedar Grove, police said.

Two of the other men, who police say acted as lookouts, were arrested after a short vehicle chase.

Jones said the police were tipped off to the burglary by an anonymous tip, and converged on the thieves as they loaded pallets of merchandise into two box trucks and a panel van, which police say were stolen from Cedar Grove businesses. Jones said he did not know which businesses the trucks belonged to or when they had been stolen.

Police said the weekend arrests were made after a joint surveillance operation with the Newark and Little Falls police departments, during which the thieves were caught in the act.

"These arrests were based on great detective work and intelligence we had gathered," Jones said.

The men arrested were: Alonis Perez, 35, of Elizabeth; Yoandry Cue, 25, of Lehigh Acres, Fla.; and Rolando Ravelo, 42, of Miami Beach, Fla.; Danilo Pena, 43, of North Bergen, and Leonel Rodriguez, 37, of Elizabeth.

Those arrested are all facing multiple felony counts including second degree theft and conspiracy charges, resisting arrest, and eluding police, Jones said.

Acting State Police Capt. Frank Davis said all five men are currently in Essex County Jail in lieu of $300,000 bail, and that no court date has been set because the case is still under investigation.

Additional information is expected Wednesday morning. Jones said the State Police are sifting through more than 140 pages of reports on the burglary, and are working closely with authorities with jurisdiction in the case before releasing further details.

A call placed to Contract Filling Inc. was not answered.

Check back for updates as they occur.