Suspect Arrested in Connection With Car Break-Ins

The following arrest information was provided by West Caldwell Police and does not indicate a conviction.

A Newark man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a rash of break-ins to cars belonging to customers and employees of businesses on Fairfield Place in West Caldwell.

The suspect, Frank DeRosa, 45, was charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft, according to .

Police say seven vehicles were broken into on Fairfield Place between Dec. 3 and Jan. 19. In all cases, police say the victims’ vehicles were locked and windows were smashed in order to grab valuable items inside, such as wallets, pocketbooks, cash and credit cards.

The investigation led officers to nearby retail stores where stolen credit cards were used to make fraudulent purchases. Detectives from West Caldwell put a description out of the suspect and his vehicle to patrol officers.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, around 2:15 p.m., West Caldwell Pt. Jamie Norrell saw the suspected vehicle coming out of a parking lot on Fairfield Place and the driver matched the suspect. While Pt. Norrell stopped the suspect for questioning, Lt. Tom Bryant drove through the lot and found that a vehicle had been broken into.

DeRosa was arrested and taken to police headquarters and processed before being transported to Essex County Jail where he is being held on $50,000 bail.