On February 17, 2023 at 8:04 P.M. Secaucus Police responded to the area of 100 Enterprise Avenue on report of a suspicious person on the property, which was closed and not open to the public at this time of night. This commercial area of Secaucus has previously been the scene of a variety of thefts and burglaries. Police Officers from the Patrol Division and Detectives from the Anti-Crime Unit responded to the area and were directed by the reporting party to a man, later identified as Michael Valentine, 18, of East Orange who was wearing a ski mask.
Valentine was now in the area 115 Enterprise Avenue and observed entering a white Kia Optima. Detectives attempted to stop Valentine, but he disregarded their attempt and fled the area on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, officers and detectives struggled to get control of Valentine as he was trying to get his into his pockets, but he was ultimately placed under arrest. During a search of his person a loaded .25 caliber Tangoglio Giuseppe Model GT26 semi-automatic handgun was found in his jacket pocket. A further search of his person revealed two knives and a variety of tools, often used during the commission of a burglary.
The investigation revealed that Valentine burglarized a tractor trailer on the property of 100 Enterprise Avenue. Also, it was discovered that the 2016 Kia Optima that Valentine was inside of was reported stolen from a Nutley Kia dealership.
“This arrest is another clear example of extraordinary work by the Secaucus Police Department,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “I am extremely thankful that nobody was injured during this arrest, especially during the struggle with this armed burglar in the dark of night, since it could have turned deadly in an instant.”
Michael Valentine was charged with Obstruction by Flight [2C:29-1a], Armed Burglary [2C:18-2b(1)], Possession of Burglar Tools [2C:5-5a(2)], Resisting Arrest [2C:29-2a(1)], Unlawful Possession of a Handgun [2C:39-5B(1)], Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose 2C:39-4A(1), Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition [2C:39-3F(1)], Possession of Handgun Ammunition [2C:58-3.3B] and Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7a]. He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.
