Detectives recover $165K in loot, pounds of drugs, in burglary investigation where 3 are charged

Media Release

For Immediate Release, July 12, 2022

Investigative Contact: Detective John Fabula, jfabula@kearnynjpd.org

Public Information Officer: Captain Timothy Wagner, twagner@kearnynjpd.org

Kearny Police Chief George King announces the arrests of Javier Ortega (40, single male, Uber driver) of Newark, NJ, and Severiano Ybert Perez (42, single male, unemployed) of Bronx, NY, on burglary, theft and conspiracy charges. The arrests are the result of a four-month cooperative investigation conducted by the Kearny Police Department Detective Bureau, under the direction of Deputy Chief Scott Macfie, and detectives from New Milford, North Bergen and Jersey City Police Departments.

On February 27, 2022, the Kearny Police Department received a report of two residential burglaries to a multi-family house on Argyle Place. The investigation connected the same four suspects to similar burglaries at a Kennedy Boulevard, North Bergen, address on February 22; a Berkeley Street, New Milford, address on March 2; and a Garfield Avenue, Jersey City, address on March 29.

Detectives arrested Javier Ortega on June 30, 2022. Ortega was charged with burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2; theft, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a; and conspiracy to commit the aforementioned offenses, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1). Ortega was remanded to the Hudson County jail pending his first appearance at Central Judicial Processing Court in Jersey City, NJ.

Additionally, on June 30, in cooperation with detectives from the Office of the Bronx District Attorney, Kearny Police detectives arrested Severiano Ybert Perez at his Bronx home. Perez was charged with burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2; theft, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a; and conspiracy to commit the aforementioned offenses, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1). Perez was remanded to the Rikers Island correctional facility pending extradition proceedings.

During simultaneous search warrants executed at Newark and Bronx addresses, detectives recovered jewelry and designer clothing and accessories valued at $165,000; 14.9 pounds of marijuana; over 2 kilograms of cocaine; and $1,500 cash. Narcotics possession and intent to distribute charges were filed against Javier Ortega by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Warrant complaints have also been filed charging Alexis Gonzalez (43, single) of Bronx, NY, with burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2; theft, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a; and conspiracy to commit the aforementioned offenses, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1). The investigation later identified Gonzalez as one of the two outstanding burglary suspects.

Chief King reminds the public that these charges are merely accusations and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the Office of the Bronx District Attorney, Newark Police Emergency Services Unit, the Newark Real Time Crime Center and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance.

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective John Fabula at 201-998-1313 ext. 2833 or jfabula@kearnynjpd.org.