More Belleville Cops Will Patrol Near Schools After Phone Theft

BELLEVILLE, NJ — Belleville police will be increasing their presence near all of the town’s schools after four people stole a phone from a juvenile who was walking to school, authorities announced Tuesday evening.

The Belleville Police Department released a statement about the incident, which took place on Rocco Street in Belleville around 8 a.m.:

“Belleville police are investigating the theft of a cell phone incident. On [Tuesday], four suspects using a stolen motor vehicle approached a juvenile walking to school. One of the males exited the stolen motor vehicle and took the juvenile’s cell phone. These same individuals allegedly committed similar incidents in at least one other jurisdiction. Police were able to identify the vehicle immediately after the incident and determine that the vehicle and its occupants fled into the city of Newark. Surrounding towns were notified and the vehicle was later recovered on the Garden State Parkway. Several males were detained and detectives are investigating their role in our incident. There were no reported injuries and there was no attempt made to kidnap the juvenile.”

“As a precaution, Belleville police will be increasing our presence in and around all of our schools,” authorities added.

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