Crime & Safety

Cranford Police Capture Burglary Suspect Exiting Local Home

An alert neighbor was credited with contacting the police department and providing a description of the suspect.

Police captured a burglary suspect on May 25 as he was exiting a Pershing Avenue home.

On May 25, arrested Michael Marione, 27, of Rahway and charged him with burglary, theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools after he was captured exiting a Pershing Avenue residence. Marione was also charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe.

Police credited an alert neighbor who witnessed Marione on the property wearing gloves and carrying a backpack. When she saw him attempting to enter the home, she contacted the Cranford Police Department and was able to give an accurate description to responding officers.

Detectives John Swandrak and Ryan Greco, and Detective Sergeant Christopher Polito, arrived within moments of the call and witnessed Marione exiting the home. They confronted Marione on the front lawn of the residence and placed him under arrest without incident. During the arrest police recovered a backpack which contained jewelry valued at approximately $10,000, belonging to the resident of the home. Detectives also recovered a hypodermic syringe; burglary tools, including gloves, a flashlight, knife and utility tool; and almost $2,000 cash.

Following a brief investigation at the scene, it was determined that Marione entered the home by forcing entry through a first floor window. Detectives also located and impounded Marione’s 2012 Red Honda Civic which was found parked on a nearby street.

Cranford Police Chief Eric G. Mason was quick to acknowledge the observant neighbor who broke the case.

“Cranford is a community where people care about one another,” Mason said, “and in this case, the actions of one alert person prevented a heartbreaking loss of a family’s personal property. I am proud of the people in this community, and I am proud of the officers and detectives that brought this case to a swift conclusion.”

Marione was transported to the Union County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. He is scheduled for a first court appearance on June 1.

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