New Milford Police File Additional Charges On Suspected Burglar

Chief of Police Frank Papapietro reported that two additional counts of burglary have been charged to Jeremy Buttigieg, 27, of New Milford. Buttigieg is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail on two counts of burglary issued by New Milford Police for burglaries that occurred on North Park Drive in July and August.

At the time of the August burglary, Papapietro said that a search of Buttigieg’s residence revealed numerous jewelry items and a loaded handgun, but Buttigieg, who was being held at the Bergen County Jail on charges stemming from a Bogota burglary, was released on bail before New Milford's charges were filed and had gone into hiding. Detectives learned that Buttigieg was boasting that he would not be taken.

On Sept. 20, Papapietro announced that with the assistance of Paramus Police, Detective Lt. Frank Ramaci and Officer Kevin VanSaders arrested Buttigieg in the food court at the Garden State Plaza, and he was remanded to the Bergen County Jail.

Papapietro told Patch in September, "Buttigieg is wanted on numerous burglary, theft, receiving stolen property and weapons charges."

Papapietro added, "He is also facing drug trafficking charges in both Maine and New Jersey."

As a result of the September arrest, Papapietro reported that Buttigieg was transported to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail from the New Milford charges and said that he is also facing charges from Bogota and Maywood, with complaints pending in Closter. He added that there is also an outstanding fugitive warrant from Maine.

Papapietro said that while recently reviewing unsolved burglary cases, VanSaders identified two with similar entry methods as the ones used in the burglaries on North Park Drive that Buttigieg is charged with. He also noticed that these burglaries were in close proximity to Buttugieg’s residence. After the victims identified several of the jewelry items located during the search of Buttigieg’s residence, Papapietro said that VanSaders was able to link Buttigieg to the burglaries.

"While interviewing him at the Bergen County Jail, VanSaders and Ramaci said that Buttigieg admitted to the two additional burglaries," Papapietro said. 

New Milford Police have subsequently charged Buttigieg with two additional counts of Burglary and Theft.  

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