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The first break-in occurred overnight in January on Market Street, Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said, after 40-year-old Jose L. Rosario of Paterson smashed a car window with a brick and swiped the purse, containing a wallet with several credit cards and personal documents.
One video showed Rosario smashing the window and hiding the purse under his coat, while another showed him attempting to use the victim's credit cards, Berdnik said.
Authorities were searching for Rosario when another vehicle break-in occurred, also overnight, on April 19 near the intersection of Grand and Marshall Street, the sheriff said.
The owner and two companions all had personal items stolen, he said.
Detectives discovered Thursday that Rosario was being held in the Passaic County Jail on several outstanding warrants, Berdnik said.
He confessed to the two car break-ins and was charged with burglary, weapons possession and shoplifting, the sheriff said.
Rosario remained held Saturday.
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