Secaucus Police Thwart Potentially Deadly Burglary Attempt, Recover Loaded Firearm and Apprehend Suspect

Secaucus Police have made an arrest and recovered a firearm after responding to a report of a suspicious person on a commercial property on the evening of February 17. Officers were directed to an individual, later identified as 18-year-old Michael Valentine of East Orange, who was seen wearing a ski mask in the vicinity of 100 Enterprise Avenue, which has previously been the scene of several thefts and burglaries.

Valentine was later seen entering a white Kia Optima at the nearby 115 Enterprise Avenue. Detectives attempted to stop him, but Valentine fled on foot. After a brief pursuit, officers and detectives were able to arrest Valentine. During a search of his person, a loaded .25 caliber Tangoglio Giuseppe Model GT26 semi-automatic handgun was found in his jacket pocket, along with two knives and various tools commonly used during the commission of a burglary.

Further investigation revealed that Valentine had burglarized a tractor trailer on the property of 100 Enterprise Avenue, and that the 2016 Kia Optima he was driving had been reported stolen from a Nutley Kia dealership.

Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller praised the efforts of his officers, saying, “This arrest is another clear example of extraordinary work by the Secaucus Police Department. I am extremely thankful that nobody was injured during this arrest, especially during the struggle with this armed burglar in the dark of night, since it could have turned deadly in an instant.”

Valentine was charged with a number of offenses, including obstruction by flight, armed burglary, possession of burglar tools, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, possession of hollow point ammunition, possession of handgun ammunition, and receiving stolen property. He was subsequently lodged in the Hudson County Jail.

It should be noted that these charges are merely accusations and that Valentine is presumed innocent until proven guilty.