Police Arrest Suspected Burglar

Livingston police have arrested a suspected burglar whom they believe may have been involved in two break-ins in recent weeks in the township.

Diandre Mikell, 24, of Teaneck, was arrested Feb. 9 and charged with conspiracy to commit burglary after police responded to a security alarm at a home on Canoe Brook Drive, Livingston police said. 

Patrolman Christopher Grieco was responding to the security alarm when he saw Mikell driving a silver minivan slowly on Canoe Brook Drive. He was wearing black clothing. Results of a police trace of the license plate showed it came from a rental agency, said Det. Sgt. Anthony Dippold.

The patrolman stopped the vehicle and said he saw a walkie talkie and a black ski mask inside the vehicle. Other officers who responded discovered the home’s doors pried open and signs burglars inside quickly fled when they were tipped off police were on the way, Dippold said. Those suspects are still being sought by police.

Police found footprints in the snow leading out from the rear of the house, Dippold said, and called in the Essex County K-9 unit. Tracking the suspects was difficult because of the snow and ice, Dippold said.

Nothing was reportedly taken from the home.

Police believe the same group of suspected burglars also broke into a home on e on Jan. 30. At both homes, the alarm panels were ripped off the wall when they gained entry to the home.

“We do feel they’re related at this time,” Dippold said. The police investigation is continuing.

Mikell was released on $10,000 bail.