Fairfield (NJ) The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of Anthony John D’Amico (32) of Pompton Lakes, New Jersey for three counts of burglary, three counts of theft and two counts of criminal mischief. He was arrested on November 14, 2021.
On Monday November 8, 2021, Fairfield police were called to investigate two burglaries that occurred at the West Essex Diner, located at 516 Route 46 East and at Four Js babel shop, located at 400 Fairfield Road. The locations are adjacent to each other. The burglaries occurred at approximately 1:40 AM and netted the actor approximately $1200 in cash. On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, another burglary was reported to the Fairfield police. This one occurred at Edwardian Needle, located at 390 Fairfield Road and is in proximity to the two previous burglary locations. Since the store is closed on Mondays, the burglary was not discovered until Tuesday and appeared to be the work of the same actor. In this case, $100 was stolen.
It is alleged that this lone actor was captured on video surveillance at each location confirming that the same suspect committed all three burglaries. In addition, part of the suspect’s vehicle was also captured on video surveillance. As a result, Fairfield detectives checked the department’s automated license plate readers and eventually developed D’Amico and his 2002 silver Honda Accord as a person and vehicle of interest in these crimes.
Further investigation revealed that D’Amico had been arrested by the Pequannock Police Department on November 6, 2021. In reviewing body camera video from the Pequannock police, Fairfield detectives were able to confirm that D’Amico was wearing the exact same clothing as the suspect was on the night of the burglaries, right down to the exact same sneakers. In addition, the physical description of the burglary suspect allegedly matched that of D’Amico.
Fairfield detectives issued warrants for D’Amico’s arrest on November 12, 2021, and canvassed area hotels looking for him. This ultimately paid off as on Sunday November 14, 2021, a hotel employee of the LaQuinta hotel in Clifton contacted the Fairfield police and report that D’Amico was now at that location. The Clifton Police Department was contacted and responded and ultimately arrested D’Amico on the outstanding Fairfield warrants. D’Amico was eventually transferred to the Passaic County Jail. The case was investigated by Detective Sergeant Jeffrey Didyk and Detective Daniel Moran.
“I would like to not only commend the hard work of all the investigators who pieced this case together and successfully arrested a serial burglar, but also that of Fairfield Dispatcher Joseph Piccoli who initially help developed the information concerning the suspect’s vehicle that ultimately led investigators to D’Amico. Once again, the use of automated license plate readers and other technology that the department has been putting in place throughout the township, has helped to solve these crimes and to keep our community safe” said Chief Anthony G. Manna.
(It should be noted that the charges against D’Amico are merely allegations and that he is presumed innocent until he either pleads guilty or is found guilty in a court of law)
Authorized by: Chief Anthony Manna
