HOPATCONG BOROUGH, NJ (Sussex County) – A Lake Hopatcong man is facing multiple charges after the homeowner allegedly caught him inside his residence.
Brandon Stracco, 26, was charged with burglary, defiant trespass, theft, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
On January 16, borough police responded to a residence on Elba Ave for a report of a residential burglary in progress, Hopatcong Police Lieutenant Meghan McCluskey said.
The homeowner called 911, stating that he located an unknown male in his residence. He confronted Stracco, and had him empty the book bag he was holding. The bag allegedly contained several bottles of alcohol that belonged to the homeowner, McCluskey said.
Once the homeowner had Stracco empty the book bag he told him that he was calling the police. At that point, Stracco tried to run away and the homeowner grabbed him. In fear that Stracco was going to hurt the homeowner he let him go, McCluskey said.
Stracco ran out of the house and the homeowner chased him while calling 911. The homeowner was able to give his location to 911 while chasing Stracco, McCluskey said.
Patrols located Stracco on Ithanell Road and placed him under arrest. Stracco resisted arrest by refusing to put his hands behind his back and injured a responding officer during the arrest, McCluskey said.
Stracco was lodged in the Sussex County Jail on a no bail warrant
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
