Officer Arrested for Theft, Criminal Trespassing

North Arlington police officer arrested for theft, criminal trespassing 
NorthJersey.com by Brian Anderson  -  May 1, 2012

North Arlington, NJ - The North Arlington Police Department (NAPD) has placed one of its own under arrest. The arrest of Officer Paul Casale, a 24-year-old male from Newark and a patrol officer on the NAPD, was arrested at 2 p.m. today, earlier today on May 1. He was charged with one theft and one criminal trespassing charge each, according to North Arlington Police Captain John Hearn. The arrest comes from police investigating two separate incidents at a residence on Biltmore Street. On April 20, a resident called the police due to an issue with her heating. Casale was the responding officer. Two days later, on April 22, Casale returned to the home for a follow up with the homeowner, Hearn said. On April 23, the homeowner called the NAPD and reported seven rings, valued at $4,500 combined, were missing from her home, Hearn said. The homeowner told police the rings were stolen the previous day, and no one else had been in her home except Casale. Less than a week later, he was seen allegedly entering the residence without the homeowner's permission, according to Hearn. The NAPD, with oversight from Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, investigated the two incidents and through its investigation, found cause to arrest Casale, Hearn said. He was charged with theft and criminal trespassing, according to the captain. Casale has been suspended without pay from the NAPD pending the outcome of the charges. Casale was hired in January 2011. He is being processed and will be issued summonses. Email: anderson@northjersey.com