Resident Charged with Burglary

A local man was charged with burglary and theft after police linked him to a December burglary on Third Street.

Thomas Farquhar, 33, of Wayne, was arrested in connection with the burglary, which took place at a Third Street home Dec. 1, Detective Capt. James Clarke said Wednesday. 

Numerous items valued at more than $10,000 were reportedly taken from the home, including jewelry, a fur coat, and several Christmas gifts, Clarke said. 

Farquhar was linked to the burglary after police stopped 31-year-old April Kowal, in her car on Berdan Avenue Jan. 18, Clarke said. Police Sgt. John McNiff searched Kowal's vehicle, and found numerous pieces of costume jewelry, a black ski mask, a headlamp, and a white “hockey-type” mask, Clarke said. 

Kowal was taken to police headquarters, where she allegedly said the jewelry came from Farquhar — who she described as her daughter's father — adding that he burglarized a house in Little Falls and one in Wayne, Clarke said. Kowal also stated that she picked up Farquhar near a wooded area near Third Street on Dec. 1, and noticed he had numerous bags filled with Christmas gifts and a fur coat, Clarke said. 

Farquhar was charged with one count of burglary and theft, and is currently being held in the Bergen County Jail on unrelated charges. 

Kowal was charged with one count of receiving stolen property and one count of forgery, in connection with a personal check made out to her for $500, which police found among her possessions. Kowal admitted to forging the check, Clarke said. She was released on a summons. 

This is the second burglary-related arrest that police have made in the past week. 

Corey Porcelli was after police found him hiding behind the furniture store. A resident caught Porcell attempting to break into his Sheffield Road home earlier that day, police reported. Porcelli is also wanted for or a suspect in numerous other burglaries in Bloomingdale, Allendale, Ringwood, West Milford, Roxbury, Jefferson, Mt. Arlington, and Wanaque.