MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr., New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and Rockaway Borough Police Chief Conrad Pepperman announce the arrest of three males in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred on the evening of October 21, in Victory Gardens.

Carlos Rodriguez, 22, with a last known address in Victory Gardens; Victor Hernandez, 19, with a last known address in Rockaway Borough; and Marlon Martinez, 23, also with a last known address in Rockaway Borough, have each been charged with first degree Robbery, second degree Burglary, and second degree Conspiracy to commit Robbery.

An additional charge of third degree Terroristic Threats was also authorized against Rodriguez. It is alleged that on the evening of October 21, 2018, Rodriguez, Hernandez, and Martinez entered a residence located in Victory Gardens through a closed, but unlocked, front door.

The residence was occupied by the leaseholder and two guests. It is alleged that Hernandez and Martinez were both armed with weapons, specifically a baseball bat and a knife.

Upon entering the residence, it is alleged that Rodriguez opened a closet and removed a safe. It is further alleged that Rodriguez then instructed Hernandez and Martinez to demand the safe key from the leaseholder/victim or to kill all three occupants of the residence.

It is alleged that the victim turned over the key, as well as a gold necklace he was wearing, at which point the three Defendants fled the scene.

On October 23, all three Defendants were taken into custody pursuant to this ongoing investigation. Rodriguez was taken into custody in Dover. Hernandez and Martinez were taken into custody in Rockaway Borough.

Multiple law enforcement agencies have been actively involved in this investigation, including the New Jersey State Police, the Rockaway Borough Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, and Chief Brian C. Spring of the Pequannock Township Police Department announce the sentencing of Sergiu Jitcu, 39, of Saddle Brook, on Computer Criminal Theft charges.

On or about November 8, 2017, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted by Chilton Medical Center Director of Security who reported a theft of computer equipment from the facility by the defendant.

The defendant is now a former IT employee at Chilton Medical Center. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Specialized Crimes Division was advised that Chilton Medical Center received information from a resident of Wisconsin that he had purchased a computer hard drive on eBay from the defendant and this computer hard drive contained personal identifying information of individual(s) who may have been treated at Chilton Medical Center. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Specialized Crimes Division commenced an investigation into the allegation and, ultimately, executed a Search Warrant on the defendant’s residence and motor vehicles resulting in the seizure of various computer equipment and additional items belonging to Chilton Medical Center.

Subsequent investigation has revealed that at least one computer storage medium, which was sold on eBay by the defendant, contained data/databases with personal identifying information of patients of Chilton Medical Center.

On or about December 15, 2017, Chilton Medical Center sent notifications to patients, identified as potentially being affected by the theft, who had been treated at Chilton Medical Center advising of the incident.

The defendant plead guilty on September 4, to the following offenses based on the defendant’s criminal activity on various dates between January 1, 2015 and November 8, 2017: One count of Computer Criminal Activity, i.e. computer theft by accessing data, data base, computer storage medium or computer equipment without authorization or in excess of the authorization, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25a, a crime of the Third degree; and one count of Theft, i.e. the taking of computer equipment from Chilton Medical Center, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a, a crime of the Third degree.

On October 26, the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.S.C., Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris Vicinage, sentenced the defendant to non-custodial probation for a term of five years with the special condition that the defendant make restitution, via monthly payments thru the Morris County Probation Department, to Chilton Medical Center in the amount of $64,250.00.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Specialized Crimes Division, Financial Crimes Unit, Pequannock Township Police Department, Saddle Brook Police Department and Chilton Medical Center whose efforts contributed to the investigation and prosecution of this case.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, in collaboration with the Morris County Department of Human Services, today announced the start of an innovative new program focused on the successful re-entry of inmates back into civilian life, one that could be a model for the state and nation.

The STAR or Successful Transition and Re-Entry Program offers a series of almost-immediate post-incarceration activities and programming to prepare ex-offenders to return safely to their communities and to live as law abiding residents and neighbors.

“I cannot put enough emphasis on the importance of aftercare support services when it comes to inmates incarcerated within our correctional facilities,’’ said Sheriff Gannon. “If you don’t give the inmates the tools they need to make a difference upon discharge, they will most likely go back to what they know.”

“We are excited to team up again with Sheriff Gannon on a program that has the potential to make a difference in so many lives,’’ said Morris County Human Service Director Jennifer Carpinteri.

“This new initiative has the potential to make a difference in our county, to help individuals get back on a positive track while also making Morris County a better and safer place to live,’’ added Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.

The STAR Program will deal with substance abuse issues, which are prime causes of behaviors that lead to criminal activity and incarceration, and a current focus of the Sheriff’s Hope Wing Program at the county jail.

However, the program also will provide ex-offenders with essential life tools, assisting them with housing, employment and training, education, family reunification, mental health services, dental care, and basic needs such as food, medical care and clothing.

Participating inmates will leave the county jail with a pre-arranged appointment and comprehensive aftercare plan. County social services workers from the Office of Temporary Assistance immediately will begin working with referred inmates, conducting personal interviews and teaching life skills, organization and goal setting.

They will continue those efforts for up to 12 months, helping ex-inmates overcome barriers to jobs, housing, and education, while also focusing on drug, alcohol and mental health issues.

To make this possible, the county Department of Human Services has allocated two full-time staff members to the project and has created a satellite office onsite at the Morris County Correctional Facility.

“We are proud that Morris County is the first county in the state to have dually-trained professionals, who can work on eligibility for federal and state benefits for clients from within the walls of the correctional facility and also address their social service needs once they are released,” said Carpinteri.

According to the Congressional Research Service, two million people are incarcerated across the nation. Some 95 percent of those individuals will be released. However, within five years, nearly three-quarters of those ex-offenders are rearrested and more than half return to jail or prison.  The prime reasons: homelessness, lack of education, unemployment, mental illness, and substance abuse.

“We have to do something to start to change this negative pattern. “That’s why this STAR Program is so important and has such great promise,’’ said Sheriff Gannon. “It should increase inmates’ likelihood of success when they are released into the community, consequently reducing crime and chances of re-incarceration.”

Upon completion of the 12-month program, a “warm handoff’’ will be facilitated between the STAR staff and a licensed treatment provider for continued assistance for the ex-inmate.

As part of the STAR program, inmates who are battling addiction may be eligible for medication assisted therapy options, to be determined by the jail’s medical staff on an individual basis.

Dr. Elmer Gilo, medical director at the county jail, has approved the use of VIVITROL to qualifying inmates upon their release. That medication is a non-addictive treatment used to prevent relapse in opioid dependent patients when used with counseling following detoxification.

The strength of the STAR Program’s post release component relies on partnerships with other service providers in the community.

The county’s partners in this venture include mental health and addiction providers, health clinics, educational institutions, housing specialists, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Employment and Training Services, among many others.

For a brief overview of the STAR program click here.