The Secaucus Police have announced a major arrest.
According to Police Chief Dennis Miller, on Saturday, July 11, 2026, Detectives from the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit, under the supervision of Detective Sergeant Joseph Fuardo, were conducting surveillance in the area of the Rodeway Inn, 155 Route 3 East, which is a hotel known for Vice Crimes. At approximately 1:55 P.M., Detectives observed a male, later identified as Larry W. Urtarte, place a large bag into a black Ford Taurus, which left the area.
The Ford Taurus was followed to Route 3 West and Meadowlands Parkway where it was stopped. It became known that the vehicle was being operated by a ride share driver who was contracted to deliver the bag to an address in Newark. During a search of the bag, Detectives seized a bag of suspected methamphetamine. It was determined that the driver of the rideshare was not a knowing participant in the criminal acitivity and he was released from the scene.
Detectives observed Larry W. Urtarte, and a female leave the Rodeway in another ride share vehicle. Police Officers from the Secaucus Police Patrol Division conducted a stop of this vehicle in the area of 1379 Paterson Plank Road. Larry W. Urtarte, 32, of Paterson, was placed under arrest after it was discovered he had an active warrant from Nassau County, NY with no bail and an active warrant from Clifton with a bail amount of $1,500.00.
A search of bags belonging to Larry W. Urtarte uncovered a bag of suspected methamphetamine, a .40 caliber Glock 22 semi-automatic handgun, loaded with fifteen hollow point bullets, a stun gun and suspected GHB.
Anti-Crime Unit Detectives approached two other individuals who interacted with Larry W. Urtarte at the Rodeway Inn. Austin Latrise Brown, 28, of Kalamazoo, MI was discovered to have an active warrant from the Michigan Department of Corrections and was arrested. Brown was found in possession of a quantity of suspected methamphetamine. Franklin Farino, 55, of Paterson was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and was subsequently arrested.
“If the criminal element thinks they will use Secaucus hotels to commit nefarious activities without repercussions, they are mistaken,” Chief Miller said. “The Anti-Crime Unit will continue to probe our local hotels for criminal activity and bring those to justice who choose to commit crimes in our Town. I praise the hard and dedicated work of my detectives and patrol personnel, which directly led to these arrests along with the seizure of a loaded handgun and narcotics in this case. I also want to recognize and thank both the Secaucus Police and Bergen County Sheriff’s K-9 units for their assistance in this investigation.”
Larry W. Urtarte was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Firearm while Committing CDS Offense, Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition, Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon, Possession of a High Capacity Magazine and Fugitive from Justice.
Austin Latrise Brown was charged with Fugitive from Justice and Possession of Methamphetamine. Franklin Farino was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Larry W. Urtarte and Austin Latrise Brown were lodged in the Hudson County Jail, while Franklin Farino was released pending his appearance in Court. These charges are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.