4 Juveniles Accused Of Burglarizing Several Nutley Cars

NUTLEY, NJ — Police are accusing four juveniles of entering and burglarizing several cars in Nutley earlier this week, authorities announced Friday.

According to the Nutley Police Department, officers stopped and questioned a 17-year-old Newark resident, who was seen knocking on doors at 11:30 p.m. on March 4. The youth told officers that his phone’s battery was dying, and he was looking for someone to lend him a charger.

The stop took place around the time that multiple auto burglaries started happening, police said.

Video surveillance showed the juvenile and possibly three others in the immediate area of auto burglaries on San Antonio, Ridge and Columbia, police said.

Things took another turn when a resident of Columbia Avenue reported seeing four juveniles walking down her driveway on March 5. Here’s what happened next, Nutley police said:

“Police were able to locate the four and detain them long enough to ascertain their identity and where they were going. One told police they were looking for a recording studio on Mt. Vernon. Officers then determined three of the four provided false names to police.”

“At this time, all four are suspected of entering motor vehicles and remain under investigation,” police said Friday.

According to police, auto burglaries that were reported that day include:

• “A resident reported that their 2018 Toyota was entered over the evening hours. Items were missing and the victim believes they left vehicle unlocked.”
• “Police responded to Columbia Avenue in response to another theft from a vehicle. The caller reported their 2020 Chevrolet was entered and numerous items stolen. Police believe it was the same actors as Ridge Road. Surveillance [video] captured at least four juveniles in the area at the time of the burglary.”
• “As officers were canvassing the area regarding an influx in burglary to auto thefts, police observed a 2011 Audi on San Antonio with the glove box opened and rummaged through. Surveillance [video apparently shows] it was the same group of individuals as the other two burglaries. Police also spoke with the owner of a 2015 Honda a few houses over that was also entered with items stolen.”

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