The Hackensack Police Department announces the arrest of Armando Echevarria (DOB 8/11/1979, landscaper) of Hackensack, NJ for committing two residential burglaries, including one in which a thirteen-year-old girl was home alone.

On 1/08/2025, at 10:39 AM, Echevarria entered an unlocked front door of an apartment in a two-family dwelling on Union Street. While rummaging through the rooms, he encountered the young girl sleeping, and she was awoken by his flashlight. He quickly exited her room and fled the apartment with two 18-carat gold necklaces worth several thousand dollars.

Surveillance video showed the suspect flee in a black Kia Soul, and the PD’s CCTV system and Automated License Plate Reader System were used to identify and locate the vehicle. Police stopped the Kia, seized gloves and a pry bar from the front seat, and Echevarria was arrested.

Echevarria was criminally charged with Burglary (2C:18-2), Theft (2C:20-3b), and Possession of Burglar Tools (2C:5-5a(1)). Additionally, Detective Matthew DeBonis identified Echevarria as the suspect of another burglary that occurred a few blocks away on 11/15/2025, in which he climbed through a bedroom window and took several pieces of jewelry. Echevarria was charged with Burglary and Theft, and he was remanded to Bergen County Jail on Complaint Warrants.

These charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Police encourage anyone who witnesses a crime or has information about one to reach out to CrimeStoppers of Bergenfield, Englewood, Teaneck, Hackensack, and Bogota, which offers cash rewards of up to $1,000. Tips can be made anonymously at www.bergencrimestoppers.org or by calling 844-466-6789, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.