Newark police identified a suspect believed to have committed a home burglary in May 2015.

According to law enforcement, the burglary occurred at a home located on the 100 block of Lehigh Avenue in Newark, NJ. When the victim came back to her home, she noticed that it had been broken into and ransacked.

The victim went to her neighbor’s house to dial 911 and alert the Newark Police Department. The woman then walked back to her house and saw the suspect standing in her driveway and holding her possessions.

The victim used her cell phone to snap a photo of the suspect, who then ran away and fled the area.

It took a while, but Newark investigators were eventually able to identify the suspect – thanks to the photo taken by the victim, as well as DNA evidence from the scene of the burglary.

Law enforcement recently issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest. If police eventually locate and capture the 49-year-old suspect, he will probably be charged with burglary and theft of movable property.

A conviction on the burglary charges would expose the suspect to significant criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2, burglary is typically classified as a third degree felony and can result in a sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

The Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are still investigating the theft incident. Anyone with information about the theft or the suspect’s location should call the Newark Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS or 877-NWK-GUNS.

For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Newark Burglary Suspect Sought by Police.”