Man Charged In $40K Jewelry Burglary In Morris Co.

HARDING, NJ — A man has been arrested in connection to a $40,000 jewelry burglary from a home in Harding last month, Morris County Prosecutor Fredrick M. Knapp said.

Rodrigo Astete, age 28, of Chile, was arrested in New York City for an active arrest warrant out of Florida. Once arrested on those charges, Harding Police issued an arrest warrant for Astete for one count of burglary and one count of theft by unlawful taking.

According to Knapp, Astete broke into the Harding home on Aug. 20, and stole about $40,000 worth of jewelry and other "high value personal property."

Astete is expected to be extradited to south Florida to face burglary charges there. After those charges are settled, he will be extradited to Morris County, Knapp said.

A witness tip was "critical" in making an arrest, Knapp said. Anyone with information about a crime is asked to report it to Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers either online at www.copcall.org or by calling (973) COP CALL – (973) 267-2255. Tips can be made anonymously.

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