NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — A Newark man has been sentenced to six years in state prison after admitting to participating in two residential burglaries in Sparta Township in 2024, according to the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Ivan Ramirez-Villalobos, 27, was sentenced Aug. 7 by Superior Court Judge Janine M. Allen on a second-degree residential burglary charge.
Ramirez-Villalobos previously pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree residential burglary. He received 366 days of jail credit and was also ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution and $280 in mandatory fees and penalties.
The charges stemmed from a Sparta Township Police Department investigation into two residential burglaries in late 2024.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Ramirez-Villalobos admitted to traveling to Sparta with several other people and breaking into two homes, stealing jewelry, cash and other valuables.
Court filings indicate Ramirez-Villalobos and the other members of the burglary crew targeted families of Asian heritage because they believed the homes were more likely to contain significant amounts of cash and jewelry, authorities said.
The group allegedly used an extension ladder to enter the homes through second-floor windows and brought the ladder into the homes as a tool.
During one burglary on Nov. 30, 2024, the group stole personal items, gold jewelry, an engagement ring and a Sentry Safe weighing about 125 pounds that contained items worth an estimated $40,000, according to prosecutors.
During the second burglary on Dec. 26, 2024, Ramirez-Villalobos and the others stole personal items, jewelry and U.S. currency with a total estimated value of approximately $137,017.
