FLORHAM PARK — On Sunday, October 26, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Florham Park Police Sergeant Jared Orgel interrupted an active burglary in progress at a commercial property on Hanover Road, following up on a report taken earlier that day by day-shift patrol officers. The initial report indicated that unknown suspects had broken into the property, caused damage, and removed a substantial quantity of material from within the building.
Sergeant Orgel, operating an unmarked vehicle, made the decision to monitor the site later that evening in case the suspects returned. His timing proved impeccable. Upon pulling onto the property, he observed two individuals actively burglarizing the business while operating a commercial van.
As Sergeant Orgel approached, the suspects immediately fled on foot in different directions. One suspect was observed running back into the building. What followed was a coordinated and swift response from numerous neighboring law enforcement agencies, which flooded the scene to establish a perimeter and assist in the search.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office responded with K-9, Patrol, and Drone Operations Units. Their K-9 Units conducted an interior building search alongside Florham Park Officers, while their Criminal Investigative Section later processed the crime scene.
During the search, Officers from Madison Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office heard noises coming from the roof. East Hanover Police Department, which responded with multiple Officers and a Drone Operations Team, deployed a drone that located a suspect hiding on the rooftop. Officers were directed to the location and successfully took the individual into custody without incident or injury.
The second suspect fled on foot into a nearby wooded area and was not apprehended at the time. However, the commercial van used during the crime and a significant amount of the stolen property were recovered. The investigation remains ongoing by the Florham Park Detective Bureau, and no further information is being released at this time.
Florham Park Police expressed their sincere gratitude to the many agencies that responded without hesitation to help secure the large property and conduct a thorough and safe search. These agencies included:
- Fairfield Police Department
- Madison Police Department
- East Hanover Police Department
- Morris County Sheriff’s Office
- Livingston Police Department
- Parsippany Police Department
- Harding Police Department
- Morris Township Police Department
- Chatham Borough Police Department
- Hanover Township Police Department
Authorities say they look forward to sharing additional updates once the second suspect is apprehended.
