Caldwell Police Report Attempted Burglary of a Home and Several Cars

A homeowner at 53 Arlington Ave. in Caldwell called police after noticing slits in the lower portion of a window screen Wednesday night.

Upon investigation of the attempted burglary, Caldwell Police Det. Sgt. Tony Marta said while the alleged burglar did use gloves, he was able to lift a potential fingerprint from the window ledge.  This has been sent to a crime lab for identification.

Marta said it appears the alleged thief attempted to lift the glass after cutting the screen.  While the exact time of the attempted robbery is not known, the homeowner did inform Marta the window screen was intact the previous night, June 28.

Marta also said a burglar has attempted to steal several cars at the apartment building complex located at 501 Bloomfield Ave. in Caldwell.

The owners of a Cadillac Escalade and a Mercedes Benz reported damage to their car locks last Saturday, June 25.  Later on this week the owner of a Toyota Camry reported the door lock was punched out.

Similar auto thefts and attempted burglaries have occurred in Verona.  Marta and the Verona police believe these actions are related, and the work of one individual.

Earlier in the month, 10 catalytic convertor cores were stolen from a shed at   On June 19 the owner reported a busted padlock on a shed behind the building where the convertors were stored. 

Marta said the estimated value is $500, and the alleged thief will most likely sell the convertors to a recycling facility.  The robbery remains under investigation.

Marta is in the process of charging three men on 4th degree theft charges for allegedly stealing bales of cardboard from   The bales can fetch approximately $50 at a recycling plant.

Caldwell Police remind residents to keep their homes and cars securely locked.