A 31-year-old Passaic man was taken into custody Christmas Day after he reportedly attempted to break into a Clifton residence.
According to authorities, on Dec. 25th just after midnight, officers responded to the 200 block of Ackerman Avenue on the report of a burglary in progress. The caller reported that an individual was attempting to gain entry into his apartment via a window.
Upon arrival, Patrolmen Christian Martinez and Kevin Berdnik located the suspect near the apartment in question. When they attempted to speak with him, he fled. After a brief foot pursuit, the officers were able to catch up with the suspect in the backyard of a nearby residence, as he attempted to scale a fence.
Officials say the suspect - later identified as Juan Zenquis, 31, of Passaic - resisted arrest by tucking both hands into his waistband and refusing to comply with the officers' instructions. After a lengthy struggle, the officers eventually subdued Zenquis.
After the arrest, authorities say the officers located two loaded handguns on the suspect's person (near his waistband). The suspect was later determined to be someone who was prohibited from possessing firearms.
The suspect was conveyed to headquarters and charged with Armed Burglary, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Prohibited Ammunition (hollow points), Certain Persons Prohibited from Possessing Firearms, Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose (2 counts), and Possession of a Handgun (2 counts).