Authorities announce the arrest of two individuals as the result of a short term, multi-agency investigation related to residential burglaries.
Members of the Pequannock Township Police Department developed information concerning individuals committing residential burglaries in Morris County.
A joint investigation was then conducted by the Pequannock Township Police Department, Hanover Township Police Department, Riverdale Borough Police Department, Kenilworth Borough Police Department (Union County), and the Butler Borough Police Department, which was coordinated by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence Unit. This investigative effort focused on residential burglaries that occurred in multiple jurisdictions between January 6, 2017 and February 6, 2017.
The investigative efforts culminated on February 6, 2017, while members of this multi-jurisdictional investigative detail were conducting a surveillance operation. While conducting surveillance, detectives observed Ryan McNamee, wearing red gloves and a hooded sweatshirt, run from the rear of a house in the Borough of Butler, enter the passenger’s seat of his Chevrolet Tahoe, and depart the area.
Detectives conducted a property check of the residence and observed a hole punched through a window at the rear of this residence. This type of entry method was consistent with that in other burglaries under investigation.
Officers then attempted to make a motor vehicle stop of the Chevrolet Tahoe. The driver who was operating the vehicle refused to stop, ultimately crashing into the yard of a residence in the Township of Pequannock. After the vehicle crashed, Andrew Kirchner (driver) was apprehended while Ryan McNamee, the vehicle’s passenger, exited the vehicle and fled the scene, where he was apprehended after a foot pursuit. Police recovered the proceeds from the burglary that had just occurred at the Butler Borough residence. The Chevrolet Tahoe was seized and will be subject to a Civil Forfeiture action by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
The following individuals were arrested as a result of this investigation:
• Ryan McNamee, age 32 of Hanover Township (Whippany) NJ, was charged with the following:
One count of third degree burglary, one count of third degree theft, and one count each of conspiracy to commit these offenses, stemming from an incident in Pequannock on January 6, 2017.
One count of third degree burglary, one count of third degree theft, and one count each of conspiracy to commit these offenses, stemming from an incident in Hanover Township on January 31, 2017.
One count of third degree burglary, one count of third degree theft, and one count each of conspiracy to commit these offenses, stemming from an incident in Butler on February 6, 2017.
One count of third degree receiving stolen property and one count of fourth degree resisting arrest (by flight), stemming from an incident in Pequannock on February 6, 2017.
• Andrew Kirchner, age 30 of Paterson, NJ, was charged with the following:
One count of third degree conspiracy to commit burglary and one count of conspiracy to commit theft, stemming from an incident in Butler on February 6, 2017.
One count of second degree eluding and one count of receiving stolen property, stemming from an incident in Pequannock on February 6, 2017.
Both individuals were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility on arrest warrant complaints in accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act and were released at their First Appearance by the Honorable Michael Carlucci, J.M.C.
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp stated, “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office continues its commitment to investigating and prosecuting burglars who prey on our residents and who violate the sanctity of their homes. Through the coordinated efforts of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Intelligence Unit, my Office pledges our commitment to assisting all law enforcement agencies within Morris County with the investigative and legal resources available. The involved police departments and their officers are commended for their efforts and information sharing, which led to these arrests, and which demonstrates their commitment to keeping Morris County safe.” Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp also wishes to thank the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section and K-9 Unit for their efforts related to this investigation.