Car Stolen In Nutley; Several Thefts From Vehicles In 1 Night: PD

NUTLEY, NJ — Nutley saw a car theft and a wave of thefts from vehicles on the same night last week, authorities said.

According to the Nutley Police Department, a group of suspects stole a vehicle from a local driveway on March 22. Authorities released the following statement about the incident:

“The victim contacted headquarters to report their vehicle was stolen out of their driveway. The vehicle was taken by what is believed to be five actors, who were observed tugging on the door handles of vehicles in driveways. The actors were described as wearing dark-hooded sweatshirts. The actors made entry into the vehicle, started it, and upon exiting the driveway, made contact with other vehicles in the driveway causing damage. The victim had both sets of keys in their possession, so it is unclear as to how the vehicle was started. The vehicle was found to be in the area of Newark police were able to arrest juveniles in Nutley two days later that were observed entering vehicles along Princeton Avenue. Once arrested they were found to be in possession of proceeds from the previous break crimes. All were from Newark or Irvington.”

THEFTS FROM VEHICLES

A wave of thefts from vehicles and illegal vehicle entries were also reported on March 22, police said.

Authorities released the following statements about each incident:

Park Drive – Officers responded to the area in regards to a report of a theft from vehicle. The victim stated they observed five males, all wearing blue-hooded sweatshirts, walking east. At one point, one of the males entered their vehicle, and when the victim turned on their exterior lights, all of the males fled east. The male party that entered the vehicle rummaged through the center console and glove box.

Whitford Avenue – Officers responded to the area in regards to a report of a theft from vehicle. The victim stated that they observed their sunglasses ($400) and two EZ Pass tags (unknown value) down the street from their home during their morning walk. Upon returning home, the victim checked their vehicle and noticed it was rummaged through. There were no signs of forced entry and the victim believed they locked their vehicle upon parking it the evening before.

Enclosure – Response was made to the area on a report of theft from vehicle. Upon hearing that their neighbor’s vehicle was stolen, the victim checked their vehicle and found that their wallet was missing.

Myrtle Avenue - The victim of a theft from vehicle reported the incident to responding officers. The victim stated that when they returned to their vehicle they noticed it was rummaged through. There were no signs of forced entry or damage to the vehicle.

Whitford Avenue – Response was made to the area as a result of a theft from vehicle report. The victim stated they parked their vehicle and left it unlocked. Upon return this morning, the vehicle was found rummaged through.

Myrtle Avenue – Officers responded to the scene on a report of a theft from vehicle. The victim stated that they went out to their vehicle and observed items scattered on the front seat. Also noticed was the glove box open, which was not left that way when parked. Further inspection revealed their purse was missing which contained cash, driver’s license, and credit cards. A neighbor was out for a walk and found a purse near the railroad tracks, which turned out to be the victim’s purse. The contents were missing from inside.

Whitford Avenue – While on another call regarding a theft from vehicle, officers were alerted to two other vehicles that appeared to be rummaged through with the center consoles and glove compartments opened and items thrown about the cars inside either vehicle. There were no signs of forced entry to either car and both vehicles were left unlocked.

Nutley Avenue – Officers spoke with the victim who stated when they went to their vehicle, they noticed items tossed around on the front seat, with a $20 bill missing from the center console of one vehicle, and the glove box opened on the other, with nothing missing. Both vehicles were left unlocked when parked. The Detective Bureau was advised of the incident.

Myrtle Avenue – Headquarters received a report of a theft from vehicle. Officers spoke with the victim who stated that upon returning to their vehicle, they observed the center console, along with the glove compartment open. All of the documents from the glove compartment were emptied out onto the front passenger seat.

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