President's Day Burglary Thwarted In Long Valley: Police

LONG VALLEY, NJ - A President's Day burglary was thwarted by alert neighbors and the Washington Township Police Department on Monday, according to authorities.

Washington Township Police Officers responded to 268 Schooley’s Mountain Road after a burglar alarm tipped them off. While officers were en route, a neighbor called dispatch to tell them a suspicious person was seen walking around the property, police said.

Once on scene, officers determined a back kitchen window to the residence was forced open and damaged and soon located a man emerging from behind a snow bank across Schooley’s Mountain Road near the home, police said.

The man, Todd Sierfeld, was detained and officers on scene located shoe impressions around the residence in the snow which matched the tread pattern of Sierfeld’s footwear, police said.

In addition, patrol officers located a large pry bar in the snow where Sierfeld had been hiding and a witness provided a clothing description of the suspicious male, which matched the clothing Sierfeld was wearing, police said.

As a result of the investigation, Sierfeld was taken into custody and charged with possession of burglary tools, criminal attempt to commit burglary, and criminal mischief. Sierfeld was released on a complaint summons pending court at Morris County Superior Court.

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