4 arrested after police use drones to locate burglary suspects at Morris County building
PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS, N.J. (Morris County) — Four men were arrested after police used drones and a K-9 unit to locate suspects inside and on the roof of a Parsippany commercial building that had previously been the site of a reported $2 million copper theft, authorities said.
According to Parsippany police, an officer conducting a property check at 15 Sylvan Way around 12:39 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, noticed that a loading bay door had changed position since an earlier check during the officer’s shift.
Additional officers responded and entered the building, where they discovered signs that an unknown number of people were either still inside or had recently left.
Because of the building’s size and a previous report involving the theft of approximately $2 million worth of copper from the property, police requested assistance from surrounding departments to establish a perimeter and search the building.
Drones operated by the Parsippany Police Department, Hanover Township Police Department and Morris County Sheriff’s Office were deployed to assist with the search.
During the operation, officers and a Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 located one male suspect hiding inside a room and took him into custody. Drone operators subsequently spotted three additional male suspects attempting to conceal themselves on the building’s roof.
According to police, the drone operators directed officers to the suspects’ location and maintained aerial surveillance as all three men were arrested.
Police identified the four suspects as:
- Lou James Munoz Espinoza, 22, of Paterson.
- Alemao Martin Cruzado-Castro, 34, of Paterson.
- Rafael Portugal, 18, of Paterson.
- Joel Sandovar, 40, who police said is homeless.
All four were transported to Parsippany Police Headquarters, where each was charged with third-degree burglary, third-degree conspiracy to commit burglary, third-degree attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools, a disorderly persons offense.
The charges were filed on warrants, and the suspects were transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending their initial court appearances.
Police Chief Richard Pantina thanked the agencies that assisted during the incident, including the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Office of Emergency Management, Morris Plains Police Department, Boonton Township Police Department, Hanover Township Police Department, East Hanover Police Department, Parsippany Office of Emergency Management and Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department at 973-263-4300.
