Vernon police make burglary arrest

VERNON — A Pequannock man faces burglary charges after an investigation into a burglary that took place in Vernon Township on Oct. 26
Patrick Delaney, 31, was arrested on Sunday, Nov. 19 with the assistance of Ringwood, Wanque, Butler, Oakland and Pequannock police. He was charged on a warrant for the Vernon Township burglary. He is also considered a suspect in many other residential burglaries in Vernon Township as well as many of the jurisdictions listed above.
He was sent to the Sussex County Jail, with additional charges expected to be filed to include: Burglary, Theft, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer.
Police said the department has been working closely with New Jersey departments, as well as the Putnam County Sheriffs Department and the New York State Police on a string of residential burglaries in these areas which date back as far as June 2017. Investigation efforts were fostered by the response to Verrnon police's Facebook post about some of these recent burglaries. As a result of that Facebook post, Vernon police received video footage from some residents in those areas which showed the suspect and his vehicle approaching their homes and knocking on the door. Acccording to police, it appears from watching the submitted video footage, that when Mr. Delaney allegedly observed either a video camera or a video doorbell device, it deterred him from attempting to enter those homes. Police said in each case after observing the cameras, Delaney left the area quickly.
Police believe the presence of camera sstopped those homes from being burglarized. Police also reminded residents to always lock their doors and windows and to contact police if they see suspicious activity.