Man Stole Car From Secaucus Subway; K-9 Found Him, Police Say

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus Police say this Englewood man stole a car from the Subway parking lot Wednesday night, May 5, and the new Secaucus Police Department canine helped track him down and make an arrest.

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Secaucus resident reported that his car was stolen from the Subway parking lot on Meadowland Parkway.

Secaucus Police notified surrounding jurisdictions of the stolen 2021 Toyota Corolla.

Just past midnight Wednesday night, at 12:06 a.m., Clifton Police contacted SPD to say that the stolen Toyota was involved in a theft at the BP Gas Station on Rt. 3 east in Clifton. The car fled on Rt. 3 east.

Secaucus Police searched and later found the stolen Toyota Corolla abandoned in the Red Roof Inn parking lot, 15 Meadowland Parkway.

Responding Secaucus police officers secured the scene and summoned the new Secaucus police dog, K-9 Strobe, and his handler Vince DeFazio.

The dog, Strobe, tracked the suspect to the parking lot of the Extended Stay motel, where Jean Cardenas was placed under arrest, without incident. At the time of his arrest, additional evidence was recovered confirming he had stolen the car, said police.

“All officers involved in this incident did a great job in preserving the crimes scene and utilizing our new crime-fighting tool to make this arrest,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “This police department will continue to go above and beyond to protect Secaucus residents and their property."

K-9 Strobe will be officially unveiled at the next Secaucus town Council meeting on May 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Cardenas, 20, of Englewood, NJ was charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. Cardenas also had an active warrant out of Teaneck with no bail. He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.

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