Crime & Safety

Cops: Home Burglary Leads to Drug Operation Bust

Three men arrested on charges that include drug distribution and aggravated assault on a police officer.

An investigation into a July residential burglary led to the bust of a township drug operation, Parsippany Police said.

Rhys DeCosta, 23, of Parsippany, was charged with distributing controlled substances within the Lake Parsippany school zone, possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute, receiving stolen property, two counts of destruction of evidence, resisting arrest and aggravated assault on a police officer.

Darren DeCosta, 26, of Parsippany, was charged with obstruction of the administration of law and resisting arrest.

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Denzel Johnson, 18, of Englewood, was charged with burglary, theft, possession of stolen property and marijuana possession.

The investigation began when three laptop computers were reported stolen from a Delbrook Road residence on July 5 at about 4:30 p.m., police said.

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The probe led authorities to the intersection of Flemington Drive and Canton Road in the Lake Parsippany neighborhood, police said. In the backyard of a Canton Road home, officers found Johnson with three laptops in a black duffel bag that were confirmed as the ones stolen from the Delbrook Road house, police said.

Police said officers placed Johnson under arrest and transported him to Parsippany Police headquarters.

The investigation continued until July 18, when police said they had found enough evidence to obtain a search warrant for the Canton Road residence. Police said the information they had found led investigators to believe that the house was being used to distribute drugs.

During the evening of July 19, the warrant was executed, according to police. After a brief struggle, Darren DeCosta was placed under arrest, police said.

Rhys DeCosta attempted to hide in a crawl space on the second floor of the house and fought with officers when he was found before being placed under arrest, police said.

Johnson was turned over to the custody of the Morris County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. Darien DeCosta was released after posting $2,500 bail, police said.

Rhys DeCosta also had a no-bail arrest warrant issued by the Morris County Sheriff’s Department, police said. He was turned over to the custody of the Morris County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail covering both the Parsippany charges and the Morris County warrant. 

The items seized included marijuana, glassine baggies used for packaging controlled substances, items stolen from residences, jewelry, iPods, video games, a camera, cell phones and a Kawasaki motorcycle, according to police.  

Police said more charges in the case are pending. 


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