New York Jets Player Calls Cops, Thwarts Car Burglary Spree in Chatham Twp.

New York Jets Pro-Bowl center Nick Mangold has made a living blocking other players on the field.

But he may have just made the biggest block of his life from the confines of his own home.

As first reported by Patch on Aug. 24, a weekend-long car burglary spree that hit 30 vehicles in Chatham Township was stopped Sunday after police were called and neighboring towns closed in on the alleged suspects before they fled the area.

That 9-1-1 call came from Mangold himself, who was alerted to the crime taking place in his driveway after his car alarm went off, Police Chief Steven Hennelly said.

A vehicle parked in Mangold’s driveway was entered as well as his garage, Hennelly said, and alarm on the car inside the garage was activated. That’s what prompted Mangold to call police at 5:30 a.m.

Officer Lisa Esposito patrolling in nearby Madison then stopped a vehicle not far from Mangold’s residence, Hennelly said.

As a result of the stop, five suspects were taken into custody.

Richard Isaacs, 19, of Orange, was charged with four counts of burglary, two counts of theft, conspiracy to commit burglary, and use of a juvenile to commit a criminal offense.

Leonard Watts, 18, of Newark, was charged with four counts of burglary, two counts of theft, conspiracy to commit burglary, and use of a juvenile to commit a criminal offense.

Both have been lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility.

Three juveniles from Essex County are also being charged with four counts of burglary, and two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary. One of the teens is in the Morris County Juvenile Detention Facility and two others were released to their parents.

All vehicles burglarized were left unlocked. The investigation revealed a total of $37 in small bills, a $75 tool set, and three wallets were stolen during the spree, police said.