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Oscar Alvarez-Alzate, 28, and Cristian Bernal-Walles, 21, both from Queens, were arrested on the morning of Friday, March 21, after a neighbor spotted them wearing masks and backpacks and sneaking onto private property, Mahwah Police said in a release.
The witness called police around 10:00 a.m. and officers rushed to the area, officials said. An officer arrived first and spotted the two suspects running from the scene, according to police.
Gilgen chased and caught Bernal-Walles, securing him in his patrol car before tracking down Alvarez-Alzate hiding in nearby brush, police said.
Inside their backpacks, police found a crowbar, angle grinder, extension cord, rope, and a cellular jammer — tools consistent with professional burglary operations, authorities said.
Back at police headquarters, detectives determined both suspects were members of SATG, a criminal network that’s been tied to unsolved burglaries across Mahwah and other areas.
The FBI was contacted and responded to assist. While processing the suspects, federal authorities discovered Bernal-Walles had an active Interpol warrant for homicide out of Colombia, police said.
Both men were charged with:
- Conspiracy to commit burglary;
- Possession of burglary tools;
- Resisting arrest.
They were turned over to the FBI for further investigation.
Police credited the fast-acting resident who called in the suspicious activity for helping catch the suspects in the act.
“If you see something, say something,” Mahwah police said in the report.
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