Accused Serial Burglar Charged With Wayne Break-In

WAYNE, N.J. — A serial burglar police warned North Jersey residents about has been charged with stealing $5,100 from a Wayne home and trying to burglarizing another while a woman was home, police said.

Jason Major was charged with burglary and attempted burglary after police said he tried prying his way into a Wayne home and stole $5,100 from another last month, said Detective Capt. Laurence Martin.

Police said Jason Major was at Oakwood Drive home Feb. 8 with a green pickup truck and pry bar, police said. Major reportedly told the woman he was there to replace her doors and when she said no, he ran off, fleeing in the pickup, Martin said.

Police found pry marks between the rear door frame and a screen door, Martin said.

Police positively identified the pickup truck as being Major's, the captain said.

Police said $5,100 worth of property was stolen from a Marlton Drive residence that same day. The resident returned home that afternoon to find the rear door forced open and a pry bar on the ground, Martin said; $5,100 worth of property was stolen from the home.

Major, 34, was arrested in Hopatcong Feb. 14. In video statements, Hopatcong police said that they found property from the Marlton Drive burglary in Major's possession.

Wayne Detective Jorge Barreto responded to the Morris County Jail Tuesday and charged Major with burglary and attempted burglary, Martin said.

Police said Major confessed to burglarizing a Morris Township home a day after he was released on multiple burglary and drug charges in Sussex County due to the state's new bail reform law.

Major is accused of breaking into homes in Hopatcong, Byram, Pompton Lakes, Elmwood Park and Morris Township while the residents were at work. He allegedly stole more than $20,000 worth of goods.

Hopatcong Police said Major would don a safety vest and pretend to be a Department of Public Works employee. If no one answered when he knocked on the door, he would break in and "steal what he could," police said.

Additional reporting by Katie Kausch, Patch staff

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Jason Major, 34 — Hopatcong Police