Undercover Cops Catch Burglars, Police Say

Easton and Phillipsburg police joined forces early Friday to arrest two New Jersey men apparently trying to burglarize a property on Northampton Street.

Easton Patrolman Nathan D. White first got a tip from undercover Phillipsburg detectives, then joined the detectives in taking into custody the following men:

--Robert L. Hann, 24, of 501 Second St., Belvidere.

--Daniel Obryan, 38, of 12 Lewis St., Phillipsburg.

A criminal complaint filed by White says a “large pry bar” and several other tools were found in Obryan’s clothing when he and Hann were arrested near 723 Northampton St.

Obryan admitted to damaging the property’s rear door while he and Hann tried to enter, the complaint says.

White writes in the complaint that he was contacted by the undercover Phillipsburg detectives around 1am Friday concerning the surveillance of a “burglary suspect” – Obryan.

The detectives told White that Obryan and another man – later identified as Hann – were driving a maroon Pontiac Grand Am with New Jersey license plates in the Easton area.

White eventually joined the detectives in an unmarked car and was told a “confidential informant” had learned that Obryan and the other man were planning a burglary in the Easton area.

The informant said two men got out of a Pontiac on the 700 block of Northampton Street and were trying to enter a residence on the north side of the street.

As the officers approached, Obryan and Hann left the back yard of a residence and fled on foot but were taken into custody nearby, the complaint says.

Hann was charged with criminal conspiracy-burglary and burglary. Obryan was charged with criminal attempt to commit burglary and burglary.

They were arraigned later Friday morning by on-duty District Judge John Capobianco of Nazareth and committed to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail each.