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Sparta police nab alleged thieves

| 15 Feb 2013 | 04:33
    Officer Adam Carbery escorts Leevan Lawrence into the Sparta Police DepartmentþÄôs cellblock. (Photo Courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department).
    Officer Adam Carbery escorts Leevan Lawrence into the Sparta Police DepartmentþÄôs cellblock. (Photo Courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department).
    Alleged reputed James Bond Gang leader Jerry Montgomery Photo Courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department
    Alleged reputed James Bond Gang leader Jerry Montgomery Photo Courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department
    James Bond GangþÄù members, from left, Leevan Lawrence and Jerry Montgomery sit handcuffed on Radcliff Drive after they were removed from the their vehicle at gunpoint by Sparta Police after they committed a burglary on Greenfield Hill. (Photo courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department)
    James Bond GangþÄù members, from left, Leevan Lawrence and Jerry Montgomery sit handcuffed on Radcliff Drive after they were removed from the their vehicle at gunpoint by Sparta Police after they committed a burglary on Greenfield Hill. (Photo courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department)
    Cpl. Marc Rubino secures gang member Courry Rice in the rear of his patrol vehicle. RiceþÄôs bail was set at $200,000.00 without a 10 percent option. (Photo Courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department).
    Cpl. Marc Rubino secures gang member Courry Rice in the rear of his patrol vehicle. RiceþÄôs bail was set at $200,000.00 without a 10 percent option. (Photo Courtesy of the Sparta Township Police Department).

SPARTA — Three members of a Bergen County burglary ring known as the James Bond Gang were arrested after they broke into and ransacked a local residence. This criminal enterprise has been targeting high-end homes in affluent neighborhoods across the tri-state area for years.

Their brazen acts, which include breaking down the front doors of homes and tearing alarm systems off the wall so they could steal jewelry, cash and anything of value that can be placed in a pillow case.

As these burglaries increased across the region, local law enforcement agencies banded together, sharing updated intelligence along with manpower to help bring down this gang.

The Bergen County Multi-jurisdictional Task Force, headed by Lt. Christopher Stefanacci of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has taken the lead in this effort.

At 6:05 p.m., Task Force officials contacted Sparta Township Police Detective Terrence Mulligan with information that the gang was preparing to target homes on the west side of Sparta and were in fact en route, operating a 2012 Chrysler mini-van bearing Michigan license plates.

Sparta Patrols were deployed in and around certain west side neighborhoods. Members of the Task Force reported they were also on the way to assist the patrols.

At 7:40 p.m., Officer Joseph Pensado and Det. Keith Hannam observed fresh footprints in the snow going up to the front door of a home located on Greenfield Hill. The residence appeared unoccupied and the front door had been forced opened and several rooms had been ransacked.

Sgt. Jeffrey Mase was positioned on Graphic Blvd. when the suspect mini-van passed his location. The sergeant followed the van until it turned right onto Radcliff Drive. Cpl. Marc Rubino and Officer Carbery who were posted a mile away were requested by the sergeant as he was preparing to conduct a high risk stop on the vehicle.

The mini-van had turned around and now was approaching the sergeant’s patrol car. The sergeant stopped his vehicle blocking the mini-van’s path; the other two patrol vehicles arrived on scene and boxed the van in. Three occupants were removed from the van at gunpoint.

Arrested were the driver, Englewood resident Leevan Lawrence, 30; Courry Rice, 29, of Hackensack and the alleged reputed leader of the James Bond Gang Teaneck resident Jerry Montgomery, 31.

Members of the task force also on scene included police officers and detectives from the following agencies Englewood Cliffs, River Edge, Ramsey, Mahwah, Paramus, Harrison NY, Englewood Teaneck Police Departments and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Detectives from the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff Officers from the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene and through out the night as the scene was processed.

A tan colored pillow case containing assorted pieces of jewelry that were later determined to be proceeds from the burglary at Greenfield Hill had been tossed into the woods by the defendants as police closed in, was recovered by members of the task force as they canvassed the area.

All three defendants were transported to the Sparta Police Department where they were processed. All three were charged with; Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and Theft of Movable Property. Montgomery who resisted arrest at the scene was additionally charged.

All three are currently lodged in the Sussex County Jail.

Bail for Lawrence has been set at $100,000 no 10 percent option and Rice’s bail is $200,000 no 10 percent option. Montgomery who was currently free on $100,000 bail following his arrest in August of 2011 by Sparta Police after he committed burglaries in both Jefferson and Sparta had his current bail revoked and new bail of $500,000 no 10 percent option has been set

Despite this arrest and efforts of local law enforcement, the criminal enterprise known as the James Bond Gang remains intact and active. The Sparta Police Department urges citizens to report any suspicious behavior by dialing 9-1-1.

This current incident remains under investigation and additional charges are pending.