By Karen Zautyk
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
Security video from a Forest St. apartment building led to the arrest last week of one tenant for allegedly burglarizing the residence of another, Kearny police reported.
At 1:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, Officer John Fabula went to the building on the 500 block of Forest to take a report from the victim, who said the crime had occurred on Feb. 10. She had returned home that day to find her apartment had been entered and a coin collection — including silver dollars and Indian Head pennies — jewelry and $300 in cash were missing, police said. Also taken was hollow-point ammunition, legally possessed by a family member who is in law enforcement.
Because police believed someone with access to the building was likely responsible, Fabula began a canvass of the property and, along with Dets. Michael Gonzalez and Scott Traynor, viewed the security tapes. Suspicion fell on tenant William Lupkovich Jr., 23, and police obtained authorization for a search of his apartment, Chief John Dowie told The Observer.
Reportedly found there were the missing items, including the coins and the ammo, but only $45 in cash.
Also found, police said, were nine plastic bags of marijuana, six aluminum folds of marijuana and a glass jar containing the remnants of the drug.
Lupkovich was arrested at 5:19 p.m. on charges of burglary, theft, possession of prohibited items (the hollow-points), receiving stolen property, possession of burglar tools, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was remanded to the Hudson County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail and was due to be arraigned Feb. 18.
