Hartford Man Accused Of Burglarizing Car In NJ With Dead Man Inside: Police

HARTFORD, CT — A 28-year-old Hartford man was charged Sunday in New Jersey after police said he burglarized a vehicle containing the body of a deceased man and stole the man's credit cards.

Quashawn Clayton, 28, of Hartford, was arrested Nov. 1 following an investigation into a vehicle burglary at a parking garage in Secaucus, N.J., according to the Secaucus Police Department.

Police said officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress involving a 2026 Hyundai Elantra parked in the garage at 200 Mill Creek Drive at approximately 7:48 a.m.

When officers arrived, they found the vehicle's door ajar and discovered the body of a 62-year-old Secaucus man inside.

Police said foul play was not suspected in the man's death based on the preliminary investigation. The cause and manner of death remain pending a determination by the Regional Medical Examiner's Office.

Detectives from the Secaucus Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Squad responded to investigate.

Authorities broadcast a description of the burglary suspect to patrol officers and surrounding police departments.

At approximately 11:02 a.m., Secaucus Police Officer Jonathan Padron spotted a man matching the suspect's description walking along Lighting Way, across the street from where the burglary occurred.

Police identified the man as Clayton.

According to police, Clayton ignored Padron's order to stop and fled on foot.

Padron pursued Clayton and arrested him near 100 Lighting Way.

During a search following the arrest, police said they found credit cards belonging to the deceased man in Clayton's possession.

Clayton was charged with:

• Burglary.
• Theft of movable property.
• Credit card theft.
• Obstructing the administration of law.
• Failure to report a death.

Clayton was taken to the Hudson County Jail.

Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller credited the person who reported the burglary and the officer who apprehended Clayton.

"I want to publicly thank and acknowledge the reporting person for not just passing by but instead reported the crime in progress to the police," Miller said.

"I must also recognize the diligence of Police Officer Padron in capturing the suspect within hours of the commission of this crime," he added.

Miller also praised cooperation among the department's divisions during the investigation.

Police did not release the deceased man's identity or indicate whether Clayton had any connection to him.

The circumstances surrounding the man's death remain under investigation.