By: Richard L. Smith
An East Orange man has been arrested and charged in connection with a February burglary in Secaucus that led to a months-long investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies across New Jersey and New York.
According to Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller, officers arrested 21-year-old Khalif Willard on May 29, 2025, for his alleged role in a break-in and attempted burglary on Grace Avenue in the early hours of February 5.
Police say the crimes are believed to have been part of a coordinated effort to steal vehicles.
The incident began around 2:51 a.m. when an alert resident on the 200 block of Grace Avenue called 911, reporting a break-in at a neighbor’s home.
The homeowner, who had been asleep, also contacted authorities after hearing someone inside her house.
When the intruder realized the resident was awake, he fled to a waiting BMW X3, allegedly driven by co-conspirators.
Secaucus patrol officers quickly located the fleeing BMW and initiated a pursuit onto Paterson Plank Road and eventually the New Jersey Turnpike, but lost sight of the vehicle shortly after.
That same morning, authorities say the suspects used the same BMW X3 to commit another home invasion in Union, NJ.
Detectives from the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit launched an extensive investigation led by Detective Sergeant Matthew Ford.
Their efforts led them to New York City and several municipalities in New Jersey, where crucial evidence was collected.
Police collaborated with law enforcement agencies from Union Township, Livingston, Woodbridge, Essex Fells, East Orange, NYPD, and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
Detectives also discovered that Willard allegedly attempted to break into a second home on Grace Avenue during the same incident.
Following a court-authorized search of Willard’s East Orange residence, police recovered a 9mm “ghost” gun, a 17-round large-capacity magazine, several rounds of various ammunition, more than $3,200 in cash, and several ounces of suspected marijuana.
Willard is facing numerous charges, including:
- Residential burglary and attempted burglary
- Conspiracy to commit burglary and motor vehicle theft
- Unlawful possession of a firearm without a serial number
- Possession of a large-capacity magazine
- Possession of a firearm during a drug offense
- Intent to distribute marijuana
- Money laundering
He is currently being held at the Essex County Jail and is also facing charges from other municipalities. Police noted that additional arrests may follow as the investigation remains ongoing.