Suspected Car Burglar Wrestles With Victim In Nutley: Police

NUTLEY, NJ — Nutley police charged a 27-year-old man with several offenses, including robbery, after he illegally entered several cars and got into a shoving match with one of the victims, authorities said Wednesday.

Nutley Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo released the following statement about the arrest, which took place on Sunday:

“Police received reports that several [unlocked] vehicles were entered along Passaic Avenue. A short time later, police received a call from a Conover Avenue resident that caught [Jason Rivera of Nutley] entering their vehicle. The resident confronted him and was allegedly pushed and wrestled to the ground before fleeing. Proceeds along with personal items including a laptop computer were recovered.”

Petracco and Strumolo continued:

“Police later apprehended Rivera in a Washington Avenue apartment building, where he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of burglary to auto, burglary to a structure and robbery. He was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility pending judicial proceedings.”

Petracco said the victim could have been injured during his reported tussle with Rivera, and discouraged other Nutley residents from “confronting” a crime suspect.

Authorities said it is currently unclear how many vehicles were entered. A police investigation continues.

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