By: Tracie Carter
A Connecticut man faces multiple charges after police investigating a reported vehicle burglary in Secaucus discovered a 62-year-old man dead inside a car, authorities announced.
According to Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller, officers responded to the parking garage at 200 Mill Creek Drive around 7:48 a.m. Sunday, November 1, after receiving a report of a burglary in progress involving a 2026 Hyundai Elantra.
Arriving officers found the vehicle’s door open and discovered the body of a 62-year-old Secaucus resident inside.
Detectives from the Secaucus Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad responded to investigate.
Authorities said foul play is not currently suspected in the man’s death. However, the official cause and manner of death remain pending determination by the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office.
At approximately 11:02 a.m., Officer Jonathan Padron spotted a man matching the burglary suspect’s description near Lighting Way, across from the parking garage.
Police identified the suspect as Quashawn Clayton, 28, of Hartford, Connecticut.
Authorities said Clayton fled when ordered to stop but was apprehended following a brief foot pursuit near 100 Lighting Way.
During his arrest, officers allegedly discovered credit cards belonging to the deceased man in Clayton’s possession.
Clayton was charged with burglary, theft, credit card theft, obstruction of justice and failure to report a death. He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.
Chief Miller credited the individual who reported the suspected burglary and praised Officer Padron for locating and apprehending the suspect within hours.
The circumstances surrounding the man’s death remain under investigation.