NJ law enforcement recently arrested the man who allegedly led a racketeering ring that burglarized and stole from more than 30 homes in North Jersey.

According to Bergen County authorities, the suspect was behind a theft syndicate that broke into 31 different residences in New Jersey between November 2015 and January 2016. The burglaries reportedly occurred in Bergen County, Passaic County, and Union County, including burglaries of homes located in Hackensack, Fair Lawn, and Maywood.

For the past eight months, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has been conducting a joint investigation with several local police departments to try to determine who was behind the break-ins and thefts. Investigators were able to connect the burglaries because the culprits always seemed to steal similar items: cash, jewelry, laptop computers, and television sets. Additionally, the suspects usually used pillowcases from beds in the houses to carry the stolen goods to their getaway vehicle.

Law enforcement believes that the main suspect was the person who supervised the theft ring and gave the other participants the burglary tools and cars needed to carry out their theft crimes. The suspect also allegedly sold the stolen goods on the black market and then financed the other suspects.

Authorities eventually captured the main suspect in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. He is the third person to be arrested in connection with the thefts.

The main suspect is a 45-year-old man from Passaic, New Jersey. He has been charged with burglary, theft of movable property, racketeering, conspiracy, and dealing in stolen property.

In addition to arresting and charging the suspect, Bergen County police also arrested three other people who were allegedly a part of the theft organization. Those other suspects include a 23-year-old Passaic NJ man, a 28-year-old Old Bridge man, and a 45-year-old Garfield NJ man.

The main suspect is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, NJ. His bail amount has been set at $500,000.

To learn more about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Police Arrest Leader of Burglary Ring That Hit 31 Homes in Three Counties.”