On Monday, February 4, 2013, Roselle Park Police responded to a single family residence on the 100 block of Berwyn Street for a report of a burglary. Once on the scene, police found that unknown actor(s) used a rock to smash a rear first floor window to gain entry. Once inside the home, the actor(s) searched the home for valuables. Evidence was found that an extensive search was made of the premises. The victims reported that a small amount of US currency and gold jewelry were taken.
Detective Matthew Disano responded and processed the crime scene. Detective Disano recovered evidence at the scene that was eventually sent for examination at a New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Laboratory. Chief Paul Morrison received notification on Friday, February 7th, from the NJSP that the evidence was directly linked to a Paul R. Hecht, a 43-year-old convicted felon from Sayreville, with recent addresses in Bridgeton, South River, and Elizabeth.
Earlier today, Detective Disano secured an arrest warrant for Hecht for Burglary. As Detective Disano began his search for Hecht, he learned that Hecht was in the custody of the Union Township Police Department (UPD), where he was stopped earlier in the day riding a bicycle in a residential neighborhood. Hecht was arrested on a New Jersey Parole violation warrant.
Hecht was arrested by Disano at UPD and transported back to Roselle Park. Hecht was lodged into the Union County Jail on $35,000 bail for burglary, criminal mischief, and possession of burglar tools.
Hecht is suspected in several burglaries in the eastern Union County area. If anyone has information about Hecht, they are urged to contact the Roselle Park Police Department at (908) 245-2300.