SHARE

Stolen goods, drugs found in car of Fairview burglary pair

EXCLUSIVE: A pair of heroin addicts grabbed by Fairview police moments after a burglary are being tied to other Bergen County break-ins, following a search of their car, CLIFFVIEW PILOT has learned.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot File Photo

Several agencies have expressed interest in Adrian Rodriguez (above, right) and Marino Ortiz (left) after Fairview officers found what they believe are stolen goods — in additional to drugs — in the car, parked near a Westview Place home the pair allegedly targeted.

One of those agencies is the INS, which was obtaining a detainer for Ortiz, a 34-year-old Cuban national from Union City who already was wanted on warrants elsewhere, CLIFFVIEW PILOT has learned.

Federal authorities also were inquiring into the status of Rodriguez, 39, of Carlstadt.

Both are being held in the Bergen County Jail on $35,000 bail each.

Arrested in several towns the past few years, Ortiz had been released on bail on Dec. 3 after being arrested four days earlier on theft and burglary charges out of Wood-Ridge, records show.

The best way for police to catch burglars is in the act, which is exactly what Fairview Police Chief Frank Del Vecchio said happened on New Year’s Eve.

Officers responding to a resident’s call that two men were trying to get in through his basement window found Ortiz and Rodriguez carrying a backpack on 9th Street near Westview Place, the chief said.

Inside were gloves and a screwdriver, Del Vecchio said.

Both were arrested and charged with burglary and possession of burglary tools.

Additional charges followed yesterday in connection with the booty and drugs found in the car, Detective Capt. Martin Kahn told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

Both men have a Jan. 9 initial Municipal Court appearance scheduled in Fairview.

to follow Daily Voice Rutherford and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE