Arrest Links James Bond Burglaries to Livingston

“The name’s Bond. James Bond.” And police in New Jersey believe James Bond is back – or at least a notorious gang of burglars that go by that name. They’re even suspected of hitting two homes in Livingston.

Police in Somerset County last week announced the arrest of three men who are believed to be responsible for a string of burglaries. One of the men arrested is familiar to Livingston police: He was arrested last February when a Canoe Brook Drive home was broken into.

Why are they called the James Bond Gang? The name goes back to the 1980s and 1990s when a ring operated out of North Jersey. The burglars used suped up cars in the heists, one with a license plate that could flip up to reveal an intense light to blind pursuing police. They even had devices that could squirt out oil and create a slick behind them, according to a report on WPIX.

A new generation is believed to be imitating the original, and they have been successful, carrying out about 40 burglaries or break-ins in the last six months, according to a NorthJersey.com report. They've hauled more than $1 million from their break-ins, taking cash, jewelry and sometimes home safes.

Livingston Police suspect the gang of two burglaries last February. The style of the break ins were similar to others in the spree, with the burglars gaining entry by kicking in front doors, ripping security panels off the walls, and cutting phone wires, explained Det. Sgt. Anthony Dippold.

Among the men arrested last week was Diandre Mikell, 24 of Teaneck, who police believe may be responsible for the recent crime spree, according to NorthJersey.com.

This is the same man arrested in Livingston on Feb. 9 and charged with conspiracy to commit burglary by local police. Mikell was stopped while driving a van on , shortly after Livingston police arrived on the street to investigate an activated home security alarm, Dippold said.

Police found a walkie talkie and black ski mask inside Mikell’s rented van and a home on the street broken into and security panels ripped from the walls. The burglars were evidently tipped off and were able to flee, their footprints found in the snow leading from the rear of the home, Dippold reported at the time.

Two weeks earlier, a home on had been broken into and alarm panels ripped from the wall, Dippold said. A neighbor had reported seeing two males on the victim’s driveway, one carrying a flashlight, about 10 minutes before the resident returned home.