Police charge trio with more than 20 burglaries since 2005

Sussex County -Three suspects in more than 20 “smash and grab” burglaries are in custody after an investigation that started in September 2005. William Paladino, 43, of Poland, Me., and Trent Janulis, 32, of Secaucus, were arrested based on evidence gathered at several burglaries and vehicle thefts, according to Newton police. Further investigation led to the identification of Brian Tice, 26, of Secaucus, as the other suspect who committed the burglaries in Newton, Sparta and Jefferson on June 5. Police said after analysis of the burglaries of delis, liquor stores and jewelry stores, detectives were able to determine their basic method of operation. After reviewing surveillance video from a number of locations, several suspects were identified. Newton police said detectives determined the suspects commonly stole cars from the Jersey City area and traveled to businesses where they smashed windows, quickly entered the business and stole cash registers and in many instances cigarettes or other valuables such as jewelry. Vehicles stolen from the Jersey City area were often recovered in Sussex County and in turn, residents here were victims of motor vehicle theft. Detectives processed the various scenes for evidence and recovered evidence in several cases from stolen vehicles or the scene of a smash and grab burglary which linked suspects to the crime. According to Newton police, Paladino was arrested by Pohatcong Township police in January with a stolen vehicle in that Warren County community. As a result he remained incarcerated in the Warren County Jail. State Police from Sussex charged him with burglary of Wantage Liquor Outlet and receiving stolen property for a Jeep that was abandoned in Frankford. Hamburg Police charged Paladino with burglary of North Church Jewelers. Janulis was charged in December 2006 with burglary in Hudson and Sussex counties. The Sussex County victims were Allen’s Liquor in Sussex Borough, Cailey Jewelers in Lafayette and a stolen Chevrolet Blazer in Sussex Borough. He was released on bail. On Tuesday June 5, the Main Street Grocery Store at 177 Main St., Newton, was burglarized and shortly thereafter there were similar commercial burglaries in Sparta Township and in Jefferson Township. A vehicle also was reported stolen in Newton and nearby a vehicle stolen from Jersey City was recovered. Based upon surveillance video, criminal complaints were prepared for the arrest of Janulis. In response to the increased frequency of commercial burglaries, a task force consisting of detectives from the State Police at Sussex Station, and the police departments from Sparta, Newton, Byram, Andover, Hardyston, Roxbury Township (Morris County) and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office was created to conduct surveillance in unmarked vehicles in the early morning hours when the burglaries were commonly occurring. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office also began assisting with compiling information about similar burglaries throughout the region. State Police, Newton Police and Sparta Police Detectives also worked with the United States Marshals Joint Fugitive Task Force in Hudson County to search for Janulis who was believed to be staying in the Jersey City or Secaucus area. The U.S. Marshals observed Janulis while he was walking on Sip Avenue in Jersey City on Monday, June 25. He fled when approached by officers and after a foot pursuit, he was taken into custody. Detectives then brought him back to Sussex County where he was lodged in default of bail set on warrants from numerous jurisdictions. Arrest warrants were prepared for Tice. He was observed in Mine Hill Court by a detective from Wharton Police and taken into custody. He was also transported back to Sussex County where he was lodged in default of bail. As a result of these arrests and the continuing investigation, detectives have been able to link the defendants along with other possible suspects to more than 20 burglaries and seven stolen vehicles in Sussex County since September 2005. The investigation is continuing to identify and charge the additional suspects, according to Newton police. In addition, the investigation and subsequent arrests have been linked to burglary cases in 52 municipalities throughout 10 counties in New Jersey. There has also been uncovered information related to burglary cases in several Pennsylvania locations as well as in New York State. Detectives are continuing to develop this information and investigate the cases in conjunction with members of law enforcement from the other jurisdictions. Paladino, Janulis and Tice are being held in County Jails in default of bail.