Accused Burglar May Be Linked to Recent Rash of Car Break-Ins, Cops Say

Police have arrested a Lodi man who they say has admitted to thefts from two parked cars at gyms in Ramsey, and who may be responsible for a string of similar burglaries in towns throughout Northern Bergen County.

According to a release from Ramsey Police Chief Bryan Gurney Tuesday, cops responded to two car break-ins on Thursday, April 17. The first was in the Retro Fitness parking lot on Route 17 North just after 9 a.m., where a woman reported her purse had been stolen from her Cadillac Escalade, Gurney said.

The woman had tucked her purse underneath a seat in the car, police said. The burglar punched a hole through a rear window and stole the hidden purse, Gurney said.

A short time later, cops responded to a second theft outside Sweat gym on East Main Street, where a purse with cash inside was stolen from a parked car, police said.

Because of the recent rash of similar burglaries, cops had set up video surveillance near the Retro parking lot, and used it to identify suspect Jason Daniello, 38, of Lodi, Gurney said. According to cops, Daniello admitted to the two April 17 burglaries. He was arrested charged with burglary, theft, and criminal mischief, police said. 

Daniello was released on $2,500 bail, police said.

However, police say he might have been involved in other similar instances in Ramsey, and other towns like Mahwah and Wyckoff that have been the targets of a number of similar thefts over the past few months.

“He is a suspect in several other burglaries, both in Ramsey and other towns,” Gurney said.

But, so far, “he has only been charged for two burglaries in Ramsey.”

Police said they are continuing to investigate the other car burglaries, and are asking anyone with information to call 201-327-2400.