at large following Aug. 21 incident at Rt. 9 location
Burglary suspects nabbed
at PNC Bank in Marlboro
Third individual remains
at large following Aug. 21 incident at Rt. 9 location
By larry ramer
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — Two men who allegedly attempted to burglarize a PNC Bank on Route 9 south were arrested late on the evening of Aug. 21 and in the early morning hours of Aug. 22. A third suspect who may have been involved in the crime is still at large, officials from the Marlboro Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Law enforcement authorities said Juan Louis Alarcon and Saul Gonzalez, foreign nationals who reside in Florida, were charged with burglary, conspiracy, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. They have been placed in jail in lieu of $150,000 bail each.
The incident began at 10:27 p.m. Aug. 21 when Marlboro police responded to an alarm at the bank. An officer who answered the call heard noises coming from the bank’s roof, Marlboro Police Lt. Eric Landau said.
Officer Joe Meglio climbed onto the roof and apprehended Alarcon at about 10:42 p.m., according to a press release from Marlboro police.A team effort was required in the apprehension of the suspect. Law enforcement officers from several departments helped search the area, Landau said. The New Jersey State Police, the FBI, the Manalapan Police Department, the Old Bridge Police Department and the Holmdel Police Department all pitched in to assist Marlboro. A helicopter from the state police and police dogs from Marlboro, Manalapan, Holmdel and the state police helped comb the site.
Meanwhile, volunteers from the Robertsville Fire Company lit up the area. Officers from the county prosecutor’s office were also at the scene.
Marlboro Police Officer Jerry Arminio and his partner K-9 Officer Lex apprehended Gonzalez in the grass about 300 feet from the bank at about 1:18 a.m. Aug. 22, police said. Gonzalez was treated for a dog bite, police records show.
The suspects were carrying a variety of tools when they were apprehended, Landau said, including a drill, a 7-inch grinder, axes and a 16-foot ladder. Neither suspect offered much resistance when they were caught, Landau reported.
The men appeared to be highly professional burglars, Landau said, adding that they allegedly carried out bank burglaries in Florida. Alarcon and Gonzalez are being investigated in connection with attempted burglaries in Hanover Township and Jersey City, he said.
The suspects told authorities that a third man came with them to the bank, Landau said. The Marlboro Police Department, the FBI and the prosecutor’s office are continuing the investigation, he added.