Armed Man Holds Women Hostage During Home Invasion in West Milford

On August 15, 2021, at approximately 1:58 p.m., members of the West Milford Police Department responded to a residence in the area of Beacon Hill Road and Manchester Lane on a report of a male holding two females at gunpoint. Upon arrival, Police observed a male, later identified as Andrew Canning attempting to leave the residence. Mr. Canning was apprehended by the West Milford Police pending investigation. Police then located a twenty-year-old female and a forty-five-year-old female, both residents of West Milford who advised that they had been held at gunpoint by Mr. Canning. Mr. Canning was subsequently arrested and charged in relation to the home invasion investigation. In addition, Mr. Canning was found to be in possession of a stolen item from a nearby residence and charged.

The sentencing exposure for Andrew Canning on each count of First Degree Robbery is 10-20 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on each count of First Degree Kidnapping it is 15-30 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 5 years parole supervision; on each count of Second Degree Aggravated Assault it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 3 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Burglary it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and 3 years parole supervision; on Second Degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison with a minimum of 42 months before parole eligibility pursuant to the Graves Act and 3 years parole supervision; on Third degree Burglary it is 3-5 years New Jersey State Prison; on Fourth Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon it is up to 18 months New Jersey State Prison; on Fourth Degree Theft by Unlawful Taking it is up to 18 months New Jersey State Prison; on the Disorderly Persons Offense Possession of Burglar Tools it is up to 6 months in County Jail; on the Disorderly Persons Offense False Imprisonment it is up to 6 months in the County Jail; and on the Disorderly Persons Offense Possession of Handcuffs it is up to 6 months in the County Jail.

The State has filed a motion for pretrial detention that will be heard before a Superior Court Judge. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org or contact the West Milford Police Department at 973-728-2800. For media inquiries concerning this incident, contact Assistant Prosecutor Loren Youmans of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office at lyoumans@passaiccountynj.org or at (973) 225-5425