Crime & Safety

Good Samaritans Help Nab Trio Linked to Recent Burglary Spree, Police Say

Citizens chase and help apprehend trio believed to be connected in recent rash of crimes in Hopatcong and Jefferson.

A woman whose Coach bag was stolen and window smashed in a vehicle burglary last week may have found a little justice, and Hopatcong Police says citizen involvement is a vital part of solving this case and others.

Lt. Thomas Kmetz said two men and one woman were arrested in connection with the series of vehicle burglaries in Jefferson Township and Hopatcong. All were taken to the Sussex County jail in lieu of bail.

  • Rebecca Dwyer, 20, of Hopatcong, was charged with hindering and had bail set at $2,500.00 with no 10 percent option.
  • Sean Secula, 21, of Lake Hopatcong, was charged with burglary, obstruction, theft and criminal mischief  and had bail imposed at $25,000 with no 10 percent option.
  • Shane Clancy, 19, of Hopatcong, was charged with burglary, obstruction, criminal mischief and receiving stolen property.

The charges listed above only cover two cases involving victims who had their car windows smashed and pocketbooks taken in Hopatcong. Jefferson Police will lodge further charges against Clancy, Dwyer and Secula for the burglaries to multiple vehicles that took place in the township.

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A break in the case came early Friday morning when two men were noticed behaving suspiciously with a purse in the area of Lakeside Avenue and Northwood Road in Hopatcong by a citizen who recalled learning of the Coach smash-and-grab story, according to Kmetz.

Kmetz said the man and a friend called the police and chased the men with the bag along Lakeside Avenue at about 1:30 a.m. Friday, ultimately losing sight of them. 

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Officers Thomas Snyder and David Kraus searched the area and found the two men and one woman and determined they were responsible for burglarizing cars in Jefferson and possibly Hopatcong, Kmetz said.

He noted that a pocketbook may have been thrown over a guide rail in the area of Northwood Road, however, officers so far have not been able to find it.

"If anyone is walking by that area and sees it, please contact us," Kmetz said.

Hopatcong Police can be reached at 973-398-5000. Kmetz said more information, including the identities of those arrested, would be released when the investigation is completed.

In the meantime, police are asking residents of the Northwood section of Hopatcong and in Jefferson Township to check their vehicles.

"One [of those arrested] had possession of a stolen cell phone on him and we were able to contact the owner who lives in Jefferson [who] had [left] it in her car overnight," Kmetz said. "Thank you to the caller who did not dismiss the suspicious activity. Because of this proactive action, three people are now under arrest.  

"This is a prime example of the community and the police working together."


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