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Windows were smashed in each of the break-ins, from last December of last year to the beginning of February, Police Chief James N. Batelli said this morning.
“During the course of the investigations, a suspect vehicle was identified and broadcast to agency personnel and surrounding jurisdictions,” the chief said.
Officer Daniel Stewart spotted the car in the parking lot of a local diner on June 18 and noted the owner’s name and license plate.
Investigators found that Oradell native Andrew Lovrich, 30, had gotten a ticket while driving the car, which belonged to a girlfriend, Batelli said.
Detective Kevin Hebert then turned up an eBay account for Lovrich, who sold only radar detectors and GPS units, he said.
A subpoena to eBay gave police the names of buyers, who helped the investigation, and helped in the recovery of some of the stolen items, Batelli said.
His officers arrested Lovrich yesterday, the chief said, adding that he was carrying 10 packs of heroin, drug paraphernalia and a punch tool used to pop car windows.
Lovrich, recently of Clifton, was charged with 14 counts each of car burglary, theft and criminal mischief, along with single possession counts for the burglary tool, heroin and paraphernalia, Batelli said.
Lovrich posted $20,000 bail and was released pending a Municipal Court hearing this coming Tuesday.
MUGSHOT: Courtesy MAHWAH PD
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