West Caldwell Home Invasion Suspect Arrested, Prosecutors Say

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Police have arrested a suspect in an armed home invasion that took place in West Caldwell earlier this month. He is also accused of taking part in a string of home burglaries and car thefts across North Jersey, authorities announced Thursday.

Alquan A. Harris, 25, and another suspect allegedly committed thefts throughout Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic counties, prosecutors said.

Their crimes include an armed home invasion that took place in West Caldwell on April 9, authorities alleged.

Harris has been charged with multiple counts of burglary, attempted burglary and motor vehicle thefts, Essex County prosecutors said.

The joint investigation was led by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Offices and Homeland Security Investigations, in cooperation with investigators from the East Orange, Essex Fells, Cedar Grove, Roseland, Verona, Millburn, West Caldwell, Livingston, Montclair, Newark, Summit and Ridgewood police departments.

A police investigation continues into the thefts. Authorities said anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

JANUARY HOME INVASION

West Caldwell also experienced an armed home invasion in January.

The homeowner said he woke up when he heard someone forcing their way through a rear sliding glass door. When he went to check it out, he saw three intruders with guns on the first floor. The suspects bound the homeowner’s wrists and ankles with tape and held him at gunpoint while ransacking the home. They stole collectibles and cash, then fled the scene in the homeowner’s 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, police said.

Three North Brunswick residents were eventually apprehended and charged in connection with the robbery.

• See Related: 3 Arrested After Armed Home Invasion In West Caldwell

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.