Detective Supervisor Receives Commendation for Arson Investigation

Published on January 18, 2023

On January 12, 2023, Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, and Chief of Detectives Chris Kimker issued a commendation to Detective Supervisor Luis Goncalves. Det. Supervisor Goncalves is the recipient of the 2022 New Jersey Special Investigators Association (NJSIA) Investigation of the Year, an award initially presented on October 25, 2022 at the NJSIA Training Seminar and Conference.

The distinction stems from an arson investigation led by Det. Supervisor Goncalves in December 2019 of a residential fire in East Hanover. The investigation also involved fraud, specifically, the filing of false insurance claims involving five different insurance policies. The investigation ultimately resulted in the arrest, prosecution, and sentencing of Gilmar Tejada to seven years New Jersey State Prison, along with $304,764 in restitution. As part of the investigation, Tejada pled guilty to Disorderly Persons Offense for Hindering arising from the insurance fraud charges, which also uncovered the involvement of the defendant’s other family members.

Prosecutor Carroll said, “Det. Supervisor Goncalves is commended for his commitment to duty, relentless investigative efforts, and skilled execution of this investigation. Had it not been for your efforts and involvement in this case, the arrest, prosecution, and conviction would not have been possible.”              

L to R: Deputy Chief Robert McNally, Chief of Detectives Chris Kimker, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Det. Supervisor Luis Goncalves, and Capt. Steve Brylinski.