Clark Police Nab 2 In Pre-Dawn Vehicle Burglary Bust, 1 Tried To Run

CLARK, NJ — Two Linden residents, including a juvenile, have been charged in connection with a string of vehicle burglaries in Clark following a pre-dawn police response last month, authorities said Friday.

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on April 16, Clark Police were dispatched to the area of John Street and Haliday Street after receiving a report of three suspicious males carrying flashlights. Patrolman Mateusz Pazdan arrived first and found a male dressed in all black near a John Street residence. When the suspect saw the officer, he fled into a wooded area but was apprehended by Pazdan shortly after.

A search incident to the arrest turned up numerous items later determined to be proceeds from car burglaries. The suspect, a 15-year-old from Linden, was taken to police headquarters and charged with obstructing the administration of law, receiving stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy to commit burglary.

While that arrest was being made, Patrolman Teriq Ricks conducted a motor vehicle stop on Broadway on a silver four-door vehicle matching the description of a car believed to have been used in the burglaries. With the assistance of Detective Sgt. Mike Ciaccio and Detective Paul Sosnowski, investigators searched the vehicle and questioned the driver.

The driver, Cristobal Espinoza-Alvarado, 19, of Linden, was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary.

Both are scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Elizabeth. Both are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Clark Police are urging residents to report any suspicious activity to the department at (732) 388-3434.

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