Doorbell Camera Helps Nab Sparta Burglary Suspect: Police

SPARTA, NJ — A doorbell camera that caught an accused burglar in the act help police track the accused man down, Sparta police said.

The man, pictured above, was caught on a doorbell camera entering a Sparta home on Feb. 7, and leaving with cash, jewelry and electronics. The man got into a black car driven by someone else and drove away, police said. Sparta police sent a photo of the burglar to police departments around the state.

Several days later, Fairlawn police contacted officers in Sparta, identifying the pictured man was Christopher Murano, who last lived in Mahwah and has an "extensive criminal history." Police went to Murano's mother's home, and his mother confirmed the photo was of him, police said. Murano had recently been released from the Bergen County Jail.

In early March, Haledon police told Sparta police they arrested a man they believe was driving the getaway car, police said. That man refused to speak to police without a lawyer; police say they are in the process of getting a warrant and will release his name later.

Murano was arrested by Fairlawn police on April 9 on a shoplifting charge. He was handed over to Sparta Police and lodged in the county jail awaiting a court appearance on burglary charges.