By: Richard L. Smith
A months-long investigation spanning several states has resulted in multiple arrests and charges in connection with an armed home invasion and robbery in Bergen County.
According to a statement released by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, the investigation stems from a June 6 incident at a residence on Milton Avenue in Lyndhurst.
Police said two victims arrived home around 9:30 p.m. and pulled into their garage when several armed suspects dressed in dark clothing approached them.
Authorities allege the suspects pointed firearms at the victims before stealing jewelry, cash, a cellphone, smartwatch, handbags and other personal belongings.
Investigators said a juvenile who happened to be nearby was also grabbed from behind and restrained by one of the suspects to prevent the juvenile from alerting others.
Detectives reviewing surveillance footage determined that six suspects using two vehicles arrived shortly before the victims returned home.
Further investigation revealed that members of the group had allegedly conducted surveillance on the victims and followed them from their business, including following them home in the days leading up to the robbery.
Following a nationwide investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad and Lyndhurst Police Department, authorities identified several suspects allegedly connected to the case.
Those charged include Freyberth A. Acosta Dominguez, 27, of Indianapolis; Carlos A. Aular Montoya, 25, of Buffalo; Freddy R. Marin Pacheco, 37, of the Bronx; Elvis Sanchez-Paez, 31, of Brooklyn; Luis Fernando Suarez Vasquez, 18, of Chicago; and Ermenso J. Duran Maldonado, 31, of Newark.
A 16-year-old Chicago juvenile, who authorities said was 15 when the robbery occurred, was also charged with juvenile delinquency offenses related to the investigation.
The defendants face charges that include armed robbery, home invasion burglary and weapons offenses. Several were additionally charged with using a juvenile to commit a criminal offense.
Authorities said some suspects were already being held in Indiana and New York on unrelated matters, while others were tracked down during September with assistance from law enforcement agencies including New Jersey State Police, the Mount Vernon Police Department, NYPD and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Several defendants are awaiting extradition to Bergen County, while Sanchez-Paez was taken to the Bergen County Jail and ordered detained pending trial.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Lyndhurst Police Department.