Hartford man charged after allegedly burglarizing vehicle with deceased Secaucus man inside
Quashawn Clayton, 28, of Hartford, Connecticut, faces burglary, theft and other charges.
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A Connecticut man has been arrested after police say he stole property belonging to a man whose body was discovered inside a vehicle in Secaucus.
According to Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller, officers were dispatched at approximately 7:48 a.m. Sunday to the parking deck at 200 Mill Creek Drive for a report of a burglary in progress involving a 2026 Hyundai Elantra.
"When the initial police officers arrived, they observed the door of the Hyundai ajar and discovered the lifeless body of a 62-year-old male of Secaucus," Miller said.
Investigators said there is currently no indication of foul play in the man's death, though the official cause and manner of death remain under investigation by the Regional Medical Examiner's Office. Miller said evidence suggests the man died before the theft.
Police launched a search for the burglary suspect, distributing a description to patrol units and neighboring law enforcement agencies. Detectives from the Secaucus Police Detective Division and the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Squad responded to assist with the investigation.
Just over three hours later, at approximately 11:02 a.m., Officer Jonathan Padron spotted a man matching the suspect's description walking along Lighting Way, directly across from the scene.
Miller said the suspect, identified as Quashawn Clayton, 28, of Hartford, Connecticut, ignored the officer's commands to stop and fled on foot. Following a brief pursuit, Clayton was apprehended on Lighting Way. Police searched Clayton and recovered credit cards belonging to the deceased man.
Clayton was charged with burglary, theft of movable property, credit card theft, obstructing the administration of law and failure to report a death. He was taken to the Hudson County Jail pending a future court date.
The investigation remains ongoing.
