MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – An Essex County man has been charged after he allegedly entered Montville High School Thursday without authorization, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.
Charles Banaciski III, 19, of Bloomfield has been charged with fourth-degree unlicensed entry of a structure, Carroll said.
On February 2, at around 6:30 a.m., surveillance footage shows an unknown adult male arrived at Montville High School and proceeded to walk around the building while wearing a backpack, Carroll said.
A staff member confronted Banaciski, who allegedly claimed to be a student. Upon further questioning, Banaciski excused himself and left the building and drove away, Carroll said.
As a precaution, Montville High School was placed on shelter in place, until the building was cleared by law enforcement and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
A subsequent investigation identified Banaciski as the suspected intruder and he was arrested at his
residence in Bloomfield, Carroll said.
This remains an active investigation, Carroll said.
“Thanks to the diligent investigative work, a swift arrest was carried out by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Montville Township Police Department, and other law enforcement partners. I applaud our law enforcement officers, and especially thank the Montville High School employee who followed their gut instinct and questioned the suspicious individual, Carroll said.
“During our recent memorandum of agreement signing and security summit, Morris County school administrators reaffirmed their commitment to the safety of our students and educators through collaboration. This swift arrest is the result of attentive staff and a rapid report to law enforcement. May this incident be a reminder to the public that to keep our schools as secure as they can be, law enforcement also needs the assistance of vigilant members of the community. It is critical for the public to report any and all suspicious activity,” Carroll said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Montville Police Department at 973-257-4300, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6300, or Morris County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433.
