Crime & Safety

Man Breaks Into Wayne Vehicle, Gets Caught In The Act: Cops

The Sussex County man had a switchblade knife and burglary tools in his pockets, according to police.

WAYNE, NJ — A man broke into a vehicle and got caught in the act Dec. 5 in Wayne, according to police. After a resident got Nicholas Scalici to flee, officers found the Sussex County man and later brought charges, authorities said.

Wayne officers responded to the report of a man possibly attempting to steal a vehicle at 3:42 a.m. Dec. 5 on Park Lane. The resident of the home yelled and chased Scalisi from their vehicle, police said. Officer Steven Martell noticed a man walking away from the area who fit the description the caller provided.

Martell saw Scalici walking in the direction of the home shortly earlier, police said. Officers went to the Park Lane home and observed surveillance footage that showed the 31-year-old entering the car while it was parked in the driveway, police said. The resident was taken to the scene where Scalisi was detained and identified him as the man who broke into his vehicle, according to authorities.

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Police arrested Scalici and found a switchblade knife and small flashlight in his pocket, officials said.

Scalici, of Franklin Borough, was charged with burglary, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of burglar tools. He was charged on a warrant and placed in Passaic County Jail.

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