Two Charged With Butler, Wayne Burglaries

Five police departments and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alleged burglary in progress Friday at 5:54 a.m. where two males had attempted to steal a large quantity of store merchandise from the Sprint cellular telephone store in Butler.

Josie Pena, 23, of Corona, NY, and Christopher Lide, 28, of Queens,  were charged with burglary, obstructing administration of the law, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, criminal trespassing and tampering with evidence.

According to Butler, a passing motorist on Route 23 North had reported the alleged attempted burglary. Butler police Ptl. Jorge Reyes and Sgt. Keith Soules arrived on the scene and witnessed two males allegedly placing a large quantity of store merchandise in cloth bags. Police said once the males saw the police officers they fled the scene on foot into a nearby wooded area.

The officers chased the males, who were eventually apprehended by  Sgt. Christopher Carbone and Ptl. Melissa Huizenga. After they were apprehended, police said they were turned over to Butler authorities.

Police said further investigation revealed that they had burglarized several businesses in Wayne earlier that day, and a search of their vehicle revealed a large amount of stolen merchandise from the businesses.

Neither Pena or Lide were able to post bail, police said, which was set at $75,000 each with no 10 percent option by Butler police and $50,000 each with no 10 percent option by Wayne police. Lide was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility and Pena was transported to the Ancora Psychiatric Facility, both with tickets to appear in court at a later date.