By Karen Zautyk
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
“It was,” said Kearny Police Chief John Dowie, “like following a trail of breadcrumbs.”
Except that these crumbs glittered in the morning sun and were worth a good amount of bread, being assorted pieces of jewelry stolen from a Windsor St. home. Cops recovered both the bling and the alleged burglar, identified as 41-yearold John Enright of Kearny.
Dowie said that at about 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, headquarters received a call from a concerned citizen about a possible burglary in progress at a residence on the 200 block of Windsor.
Dispatched to the address, Officer T.J. Hernandez took up a position at the front of the home, while Sgt. Paul Bershefski went to the rear of property, where, police said, he encountered Enright “leaving via the deck.”
The suspect reentered the home, and the sergeant shouted a warning to Hernandez that a man was fleeing out the front door. Sure enough, he exited there, clutching a bundle — a gray T-shirt that appeared to be full of purloined items, police said.
Ignoring Hernandez’ orders to stop, he took off on foot, pursued by the officer and with the T-shirt reportedly “emitting jewelry as he fled.” She chased him south on Windsor and then east on Liberty St., where he entered an apartment building near Maple St.
Hernandez continued to follow and saw him enter a third-floor apartment.
Other KPD units responded, and Enright was persuaded to open the door and surrender, police said. Inside, they said, were the proceeds of the burglary, still wrapped in the T-shirt.
Hernandez retraced the route of the pursuit, following and retrieving the “breadcrumbs,” those pieces of jewelry that had been scattered along the way.
All the stolen items were inventoried at headquarters, and they included:
• 3 necklaces
• 9 bracelets
• 10 rings
• 10 watches
• 39 pairs of earrings
• 14 single earrings
• 4 charms
• 1 silver jewelry tray
• 1 butter knife
And: 1 gray T-shirt
Police said the homeowner confirmed that the property was hers and that it had all been in her residence when she left that morning.
Enright was charged with burglary, theft, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest.
He was remanded to the Hudson County Jail on $40,000 bail.
