Burglars Claimed to be Victims, Police Say

Hillsdale Police arrested two borough residents who allegedly stole items from a neighbor and then falsely claimed to have been victims of theft themselves.

Park Avenue residents James Fogarty, 20, and Michael Mascaro, 24, called Hillsdale Police Sunday to report their apartment had been burglarized and several items had been stolen, according to Police Officer William Diedtrich.

Police Officers David Sayers and Anthony Lacher responded to investigate, and they found that the men's story didn't add up. The men had apparently broken several windows and didn't want to get in trouble with their landlord. Police also allegedly found several bags of heroin, hypodermic needles, a glass pipe and other items consistent with illegal drug use during their investigation, according to Diedtrich.

Police arrested the two men and charged them both with possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of hypodermic needles and making false statement to law enforcement. They were both released on their own recognizance.

A few hours later, another resident of a separate apartment in the same building called police to report her home had been burglarized and said Fogarty had approached her with several of her items, wanting to return them, according to police.

Sgt. John Carty, Police Officer Brian McKeever and Detective Sgt. Sean Smith then returned to Park Avenue for another burglary investigation. They ended up arresting Fogarty and Mascaro again, this time charging them with burglary and theft of movable property.

Bail was set at $7,500 each and both men were handed over to the Bergen County Sheriff's Department.