Crime & Safety

Stolen Safe With Assault Rifle, Cocaine Found in Montville

Two-week long investigation ends in arrest of Boonton man in Parsippany, along with Long Valley homeowner whose safe had guns and drugs in it, police report.

A safe, containing an assault rifle and cocaine, that was reported stolen from a Long Valley home was found in Montville this week before both the alleged burglar and safe owner were arrested, Lt. Art Adams of the Washington Township Police Department said.

On May 26, police responded to a home on Lower Sunset Terrace in Long Valley for a report of a burglary, Adams said. A door was pried open and a large safe was stolen from the home, according to Adams.

An initial investigation revealed Daniel Ilijic, 32, of Boonton, was involved in the burglary, Adams said. Four days later, the safe was found in Montville Township after a search warrant was used at a residence. Police would not divulge how they were led to the Montville Township home.

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Upon finding the safe, another search warrant allowed police to search the container and they subsequently found an illegal assault weapon and cocaine inside, Adams said. Additional weapons and ammunition were also recovered at the Montville Township home, Adams said.

On June 5, warrants were issued for Ilijic, and on June 6, Det. Sgt. Chris Bratus and Det. Cpl. Brian Bigham traveled to a Parsippany motel after receiving information that Ilijic may be there, Adams said. The Washington Township police officers found Ilijic at the motel and arrested him. He was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail with no 10-percent option.

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Ilijic was charged with burglary, theft of firearms, possession of an assault weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and criminal mischief.

Anas Majzoub, 40, the owner of the Long Valley home that was burglarized, was charged with possession of an assault weapon and possession of cocaine after they were found in the safe.

For questions about this post, email jason.koestenblatt@patch.com.


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