West Caldwell Cops Probe 21 Car Burglaries; Suspect Sought

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — As of Thursday afternoon, West Caldwell police were still tallying up the complete list of property stolen during a brazen series of early morning break-ins. But authorities did have a final total of alleged burglaries that took place: 21.

They also have a suspect, police said.

According to the West Caldwell Police Department, authorities first learned of the break-ins around 3:27 a.m., when a Deerfield Road resident reported that someone was attempting to steal their car. The resident told officers that the suspect was a “tall male wearing a backpack.”

West Caldwell officers soon arrived on the scene, and with assistance from neighboring police departments, they began to search the area for the backpack-clad man. Officers conducted an “extensive search” but didn’t find the suspect, authorities said.

However, police did find something else… a massive series of vehicle burglaries.

According to West Caldwell Police Chief Gerard Paris:

“During the search, officers located several parked cars in resident's driveways that were burglarized. As the investigation progressed, residents notified police after discovering their vehicles were entered and rummaged through.”

In total, 21 vehicles were burglarized, Paris said. Affected residents live on Deerfield Road, Runnymede Road, Beechwood Road, Sunnie Terrace and Dawson Drive.

A complete list of property taken is currently being collected, the chief added.

On Thursday, the WCPD posted surveillance photos of the alleged car burglar to social media (see below). An investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the West Caldwell Police Detective Bureau at 973-226-4114.

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Photo: West Caldwell Police Department