
2 men arrested in connection with motor vehicle burglaries in Somerset County
SOMERVILLE, NJ (Somerset County) – Two New York men have been arrested in connection with motor vehicle burglaries in Somerset County, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
On June 24, at around 8:30 a.m., detectives and patrol officers became aware of a vehicle associated with Jose Cabanzo-Pena, 28, and Luis Eduardo Pena-Garzon, 32, both from Queens, NY had entered Bernards Township and was at Mountain Park, McDonald said.
The investigation revealed that both men have been targeting parks throughout Somerset County and New Jersey for motor vehicle burglaries, McDonald said.
Bernards Township detectives and patrol officers along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Task Force, and Hillsborough Township Police Department initiated surveillance at the park. Both suspects were observed walking in the park and subsequently departing in the suspect vehicle, a 2011 GMC Acadia, McDonald said.
As a result of the on-going investigation the suspect vehicle was stopped by officers and both men were detained by authorities. A Somerset County Superior Court ordered search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, McDonald said.
The search resulted in the discovery of proceeds from a motor vehicle burglary that occurred at Mountain Park on June 24. In addition, other evidence was found connecting Cabanzo-Pena to additional motor vehicle burglaries and thefts at Mountain Park on May 10 and May 20, McDonald said.
Cabanzo-Pena was arrested and charged with third-degree burglary to a motor vehicle, three counts of third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card, third-degree theft by deception, three counts of fourth-degree credit card theft, and theft, McDonald said
Pena-Garzon was charged with third-degree burglary to a motor vehicle, fourth-degree credit card theft and theft, McDonald said.
Both were lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
On July 17, Pena-Garzon was also charged by the Hillsborough Police Department with three counts of theft by deception for thefts that occurred at the Sourland Mountain Preserve in Hillsborough on May 8 and June 10, McDonald said.
Cabanzo-Pena was also charged on July 17 by the Hillsborough Police Department with two counts of theft by deception for thefts that occurred on Oct. 19, 2023 and Nov. 8, 2023, from the Sourland Mountain preserve, McDonald said.
Prosecutor McDonald commended the investigation and arrest of these two men by the Bernards Township Police Department, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Burglary Task Force, and Hillsborough Township Police Department. This is an excellent example of collaboration, coordination, and persistence shown by Bernards Township officers daily to keep the township safe. Also, investments in public safety technology authorized by Bernards Township Mayor Jennifer Asay and the Township Committee contributed to the ability of the police department to apprehend these criminals targeting the township.