Man arrested for burglary in Hackettstown, faces charges in Hunterdon, Morris, Essex counties
NEW JERSEY – A 35-year-old Riverdale man who was charged for a burglary in Hackettstown is also facing charges in Hunterdon, Morris and Essex counties
Joseph D. Demauex was arrested on February 16 and charged by the Clinton Township Police Department with third-degree burglary for an offense on January 10, 2022; by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office with counts of third-degree burglary, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, and fourth-degree criminal mischief for offenses on December 25, 2021 and February 2, 2022 in Mount Arlington Borough and Denville Township, and by the Fairfield Police Department with third-degree burglary, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, and fourth-degree criminal mischief for offenses on February 2, 2022, authorities said.
Demauex was also charged by the Hackettstown Police Department with third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, and fourth-degree criminal mischief for a burglary at the Budd Lake Bagel & Deli II on December 29, 2021, police said.
Additional charges for offenses that occurred in other municipalities on other dates are also expected to be filed, authorities said.
The joint investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Clinton Township Police Department, and Fairfield Police Department commenced after a string of burglaries were committed in Hunterdon County and northern New Jersey, including Morris and Essex Counties, over the course of several weeks.
Demauex operated a motor vehicle with concealed license plates to travel to commercial businesses, where he made forcible entry and stole or attempted to steal money and property. Detectives identified the suspect’s vehicle and, following days of visual surveillance, determined that Demauex was the offender, authorities said.
“We commend the remarkably coordinated multi-agency investigation that led to the arrest of Mr. Demauex. The proactive and expeditious response to Mr. Demauex’s repeated burglaries by members of the Clinton Township and Fairfield Police Departments and the Hunterdon and Morris County Prosecutors’ Offices reflects the sophistication and professionalism of the New Jersey law enforcement community,” Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson said.
This is an ongoing investigation, and anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Sergeant Marc Wilson at 908-788-1129.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-1000, going online at www.CrimeStoppersHunterdon.com, or through the free “P3 Tips” smartphone app. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for valid tips.
