Suspect in Brick Burglaries Nabbed in Virginia

A suspect who was the subject of a tireless search by a Brick Township police detective has been arrested in Virginia, authorities said.

Kristopher Fudali, whose age was not immediately available, was wanted in connection with two commercial burglaries at the Lapels Dry Cleaners located in the Bay Harbor Shopping Plaza in October and December 2013, according to Brick Police Sgt. Henry Drew.

Fudali, after an "intense" investigation that lasted several months, was identified as a suspect in the burglaries by Detective Daniel Waleski, but he had already fled the state, Drew said.

Waleski's investigation had determined that Fudali moved to California, but in May, he received information that he had returned to New Jersey, Drew said.

"Detective Waleski began actively searching for Fudali, and ultimately learned that he had been arrested in Virginia," said Drew.

As it turned out, Fudali had multiple charges pending in other jurisdictions, police said. Brick police formally charged him with burglary and theft on June 4, Drew said, and Municipal Court Judge Robert Lepore set bail at $25,000 cash. In addition,  a no bail warrant was issued for Fudali by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts for a violation of the Intensive Supervision Program. 

It is anticipated that Fudali will be returned to New Jersey after the charges in Virginia are adjudicated, Drew said.