Fugitive Wanted For Berkeley Burglaries, Considered Armed And Dangerous,Captured In Philadelphia

Philadelphia police department officers captured a suspect wanted in a series of burglaries and home invasions in the Silver Ridge retirement community, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Andy Kulian, 27, was taken into custody without incident on Jan. 8. He was charged with two counts of burglary, possession of a weapon, hindering apprehension and eluding, the chief said.

His bail was set at $100,000 cash.

Kulian was one of two Philadelphia men who knocked on the door of a Courtlandt Drive address on Dec. 30 posing as phony pizza delivery men, DiMichele said.

The incident happened at 10:30 p.m. No pizza had been ordered, so the caller did not answer the door and instead called the police, the chief said.

Police identified the two men in the car as Kulian, 27, and Jose Cruz. Kulian fled on foot as police questioned him and was missing for days, DiMichele said.

The vehicle the two used is suspected of being involved in two previous recent Berkeley break-ins, the chief said. A 9mm handgun was found in the car, along with ski masks props, other items and a small quantity of a controlled dangerous substance, the chief said.

An extensive search of the area was conducted, including a K-9 search by the Ocean County Sheriff's Department. Police were unable to locate Kulian, DiMichele said.

Cruz was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing.

The vehicle and the registration were the subject of an alert for a previous break-in which occurred on Oct. 31. In this incident, the subjects attempted to unsuccessfully force entry into a home through a rear sunroom.

This vehicle was also suspected as being involved in a robbery which occurred on Nov. 29, when two elderly residents were bound and robbed at gunpoint of valuables. The two subjects posed as package delivery persons. All of the incidents occurred in the Silver Ridge section of the township, the chief said.

Image: Patch file photo.