Secaucus K-9 Officer Strobe located an apartment burglar last week who then surrendered to authorities, Police Chief Dennis Miller announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
On June 3rd at approximately 2:41 p.m., a Secaucus resident reported that a man forced his way into her apartment, stole an item and fled, according to Miller.
While committing this burglary, which occurred in an apartment unit on County Avenue, the resident was pushed into a wall causing some minor injuries to her hand and arm.
The burglar, later identified as George Maztek, fled the apartment complex toward Windsor Drive. Responding Secaucus police units broadcasted a description of Maztek and witnesses informed officers he fled into a warehouse, located on Windsor Drive.
In an attempt to evade capture, he forced entry into the 2nd floor of the Windsor Drive warehouse.
Responding Secaucus police units from the Patrol and Detective Divisions, as well as the Traffic Bureau and Anti-Crime Unit immediately established a perimeter around the warehouse and Police Officer Vince DeFazio and K-9 Strobe were called in.
K-9 Strobe was able to locate Maztek hiding in a darkened office on the 2nd floor where he
surrendered, without any resistance, and was placed under arrest. At the time of his arrest,
evidence from the apartment burglary was recovered.
“I am proud of how officers from the different facets of my department come together and work in unison to apprehend criminals. This use of K-9 Strobe in this arrest demonstrates the need for such animals in this line of work,” Miller added.
“Using a K-9 as a constructive tool alleviates the use of force in most situations, but also gives an alternative force option, which protects the safety of both the public and police.”
Maztek, 29, of Secaucus, was charged with burglary, two counts of criminal
trespass, theft of moveable property, and criminal mischief.
He was lodged in the Hudson County Correctional Facility, but released later that same day in accordance with Criminal Justice Reform.
