By Michael O. Allen and Tom Topousis, Record Staff Writers | Tuesday, January 8, 1991
The Record (New Jersey) | Four Star B | NEWS | Page B03
A 34-year-old city man, arrested after he allegedly broke into the Woolworth’s store on Main Street and stole a display stand full of watches, also was charged with six other burglaries in the city, police said.
Michael Griffin of 113 Sussex St. was arraigned in Hackensack City Court on Monday, charged with seven counts of burglary, one count of strong-arm robbery, and one count of theft from a person, said Police Chief William Iurato.
Griffin was arrested shortly after 5:10 a.m. Sunday when police responded to the Woolworth’s store at 149 Main St., where a burglar alarm had been triggered, Iurato said.
Detective Sgt. Edward Plunkett and Officer William Novak found the front door of the store broken and shortly afterward found Griffin hiding under some plywood in an alley south of the store, Iurato said.
“He apparently feels that in spite of the burglar alarm, he was going through anyway,” Iurato said, adding that several watches from Woolworth’s were recovered.
Under questioning by Lt. Anthony Leggieri and Detective Sgt. Fred Puglisi, Griffin confessed to six other burglaries, including twice breaking into Victor’s Jewelers at 141 Main St. and stealing several watches and jewelry, Iurato said.
Griffin also is charged with the strong-arm robbery of a man on Union Street on Dec. 3 after following the victim home from a bank. Iurato said Griffin punched and pushed the man to the ground before stealing his wallet.
On Nov. 17, Griffin allegedly stole a wallet from another pedestrian in the Union Street neighborhood, prompting a charge of theft from a person, Iurato said.
The other burglaries were at businesses along the south end of Main, Hudson, and State streets, Iurato said, adding that Griffin did not work alone.
Iurato said police believe Griffin and his accomplices were responsible for similar burglaries in Paramus, Hasbrouck Heights, and other communities in the area.
Keywords: HACKENSACK; BURGLARY
ID: 17328904 | Copyright © 1991, The Record (New Jersey)
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