By: Richard L. Smith
Bergen County officials reported the arrests of Kali J. Carter, 49, of East Orange and Demetrius D. Hale, 49, of Bergenfield in connection with a series of burglaries that spanned multiple counties in northern New Jersey.
The arrests follow a months-long investigation led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Reduction Unit, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck.
Prosecutor Mark Musella said the investigation began after authorities noticed a pattern of residential burglaries across New Jersey and New York from December 2023 through June 2024.
Law enforcement agencies from Bergen, Essex, and Morris counties collaborated to identify Carter and Hale as the primary suspects in a string of 18 burglaries and one attempted burglary.
On August 27, 2024, Prosecutor Mark Musella said the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team executed search warrants at the residences of Carter and Hale, leading to their arrests.
A .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun was also recovered from Carter's residence.
Both men have been charged with 16 counts of burglary and theft offenses in Bergen County, including incidents in Ho-Ho-Kus, Hackensack, Paramus, Ridgewood, Hasbrouck Heights, Township of Washington, Leonia, and Wyckoff
They also face additional charges for burglaries in Morris and Essex counties, including in Chatham Borough, West Orange, and Livingston.
Carter and Hale are currently being held at the Bergen County Jail as the investigation continues.