Crime & Safety

Long Valley Man Admits to Car Break-In Spree, Cops Say

Months-long investigation linked forensic evidence to 20-year-old, police report.

A Long Valley man was arrested and charged with nearly two dozen counts of theft and burglary to motor vehicles after police say he admitted to conducting a months-long break-in spree in Washington Township.

Curtis Fitzgerald, 20, confessed Tuesday to 21 different car burglaries over the course of several months on Sierra Drive, North Washington Valley Road, Middle Valley Road, and West Mill Road, Lt. Mark Niemynski said. The suspect was called in for questioning after forensic evidence from multiple vehicle burglaries was collected, linking Fitzgerald to the alleged crimes, Niemynski said.

While being interviewed, Fitzgerald also admitted to numerous burglaries in other jurisdictions, Niemynski said.

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Fitzgerald was charged by Washington Township Police with 21 counts of burglary to a motor vehicle and 21 counts of theft. He was lodged in Morris County Correctional Facility in default of $25,000 bail without a 10-percent option. 

There was no indication that Fitzgerald had an accomplice.

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The break-ins in question occurred during overnight hours on those roads, according to previous police reports, and happened in bunches from July to October. During the investigations, police found items taken that included loose change and small technological equipment.

For questions about this post, email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.


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