Sgt. Craig Capoano and Officers Katherine Calienni and James Fecanin checked the FireShaper Yoga Studio on Park Avenue while Officers Robert Buell and Michael Merli secured the building perimeter with the assistance of East Rutherford Officers Ryan Micci and Cliff Shemeley at 2:40 a.m.
Moments earlier, the studio manager called while watching a live video feed from the studio, Capt. Patrick Feliciano said.
Hearing a noise inside, Capoano found Steven D. Searcy in the closet, he said.
Searcy, whose last known address was in Valhalla in Westchester County, was carrying the cash, along with a flashlight, soldering rod, flat-head screwdriver, hammer and a backpack, Feliciano said.
Capoano also found the damaged safe, which the captain said Searcy admitted prying open.
Searcy was being held on $50,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail, charged with buglary, theft, criminal mischief and possession of burglar tools.
MUGSHOT: Courtesy RUTHERFORD PD
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