Duo Stole $20K in Goods From Hopatcong Homes, Cops Say
Men from Hopatcong and Denville broke into five homes, exchanged goods for drugs, police report.
Two men were arrested and charged with burglary after stealing more than $20,000 worth of goods from Hopatcong homes, Chief Robert Brennan said.
Joseph August, 29, of Denville and Christopher Rooney, 32, of Hopatcong went on a three-day burglary spree in the borough, kicking in back doors to homes and stealing flat-screen televisions, jewelry, change jars, cameras and “other items of value,” Brennan said.
Between Sunday, Feb. 10 and Wednesday, Feb. 13, the pair forced their way into five homes on Bonaparte Point, Indiana Trail, Tufts Trail and North Western Way, Brennan said.
Most of the items were exchanged in Newark for drugs, Brennan said.
A car with the two men in it garnered the attention of Sussex County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mitch Ellicott, who was assisting with a K-9, Brennan said.
Ellicott determined August, who was in the car, had an outstanding warrant and arrested him, Brennan said.
An investigation then led to the use of a search warrant at Rooney’s residence on Rollins Trail, Brennan said. In the home, proceeds of the burglaries were found, linking August and Rooney to the crimes, Brennan said.
Rooney was charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief. He was placed in the Sussex County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail with no 10-percent option.
August was charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief and lodged in Morris County Jail. Bail was set at $50,000 with no 10-percent option.
For questions about this post, email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.
Remo
2:27 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Can you believe SABRETTI'S now serves ALLIGATOR SAUSAGE: Italiano Style?
Alligator sausage, Peppers, Onions & Potatoes on an Italian Long Roll.
Sabretti's is located on 22 Lakeside Boulevard in Hopatcong if you would like to test your taste buds, I glad I did.
Jim Copeland
4:10 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Have you tried it ? It is not that bad. Kind of like Chicken.
Jarhead
2:36 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
They should keep these two junkies locked away. It's a horrible feeling to have your home violated.
Jim Copeland
4:13 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Just a couple of Boys, out for a night of Fun. I think that I have been there. But later on the Army beat it out of me. I'm OK now. JC
Observer
7:28 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Sadly, more HHS alum in the news! Whatever happened to working and making an honest and respectable living?
Jim Copeland
7:45 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
For some, that belongs to Yeserday. Fortunately Not All !
Observer
8:13 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
It's spelled..yesterday! I am sorry to hear that living "honestly" is a thing of the past! Maybe just another reason Hopatcong has no future. Get out while you can!
Zinc
9:56 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
get out??have you recieved your latest appraisal?? Good luck with that..Its a Shame Hopatcong is such a haven for drug addicts and scum bags in general..
Jim Copeland
8:32 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Someone has pointed out my typo, "Yeserday" rather than Yesterday-- Some what petty in my opinion, considering that none of us are columnists for The National Review Orbins or Vanity Fair. But I am sure that all of the rest of our non- intellectual crew have kind of picked up on exactly what I was "Gettin" At.
jazzman
9:16 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
,.JC i for one admire your honesty and thank you for your service and obviously redemption,to spell checkers it just words words words
Jim Copeland
9:59 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
"All is of course overlooked and forgiven my lord":
Ophelia To Hamlet-- From Wm Shakespear"s Hamlet.
jw
9:31 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
punks hit me up.. stole some things from me... thanks to hopatcong PD and their really really good police work, my items have been returned! Way to go PD your really doing a great job forgiving the stupid crimes and focusing on the important stuff.. I feel safer tonight because of you men in blue! jw
Remo
7:38 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
to Jim Copeland.
Yes I have tried the alligator sausage at sabretti's hot dogs , it had great taste and flavor, very lean too...but didn't taste much like chicken...
Rich
9:15 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Good job Hopatcong police department and Lt. Mitch Ellicott! Thanks for cleaning up the town!!!
Brown eyes
1:01 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Half these houses are getting rented to scumbags!!! Wish the landloards would do more of a background check on them then just saying yes!!!!, money to pay for my mortgage. I never seen so much trash in this area. Can't wait to move!!!! Like yesterday!!!!!
Observer
5:50 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Good news for a change! Hopatcong would never be a target for a high-end burglary gang. The neighborhood drug addicts, well that’s another story. Lock your homes and your vehicles!