Stolen Bus and Car Break-Ins

Three cars were broken into at the Care One facility at 68 Passaic Avenue on December 17, the Livingston police department reports.  This one day break-in spree — all incidents were reported about 11 a.m. in the morning — caps off a week in which there were 2 other reported car break-ins in town and one home burglary.

Also noteworthy if not bizarre, a NJ Transit bus was stolen on Saturday (click here to see Patch's story).

Here's a breakdown of police and fire activity from December 15 through December 22:

Police

December 15 — About 2 p.m. a burglary was reported at the residence at 673 S. Orange Avenue.  The homeowner had been away from the home for a couple of days and returned to find the kitchen door kicked in.  An undetermined amount of jewelry was stolen.

December 17 — Three cars were reported to be broken into at the Care One facility at 68 Passaic Avenue.  The first incident was called in at 10:57 a.m. and involved a Honda Civic; the passenger's window was broken and the radio and CD were reported missing.  The second theft occured near 11:15 and also involved a Honda Civic; radio was missing.  The third car to be burglarized, at about the same time, was a Toyota Corolla.  Agai, broken passenger window reported, this time a wallet and paperwork were taken.

December 18 — At 12:28 p.m. a Honda Civic was reported broken into at 212 Kensington Lane; passenger window broken and a GPS unit was removed.

Also on December 18, at 277 Eisenhower Parkway, at 12:54 p.m. a report came in to LPD that a Dodge Intrepid was burglarized.  There was no broken window, but owner reported that a laptop, iPod, digital camera and GPS unit were missing.

Update on the missing NJ Transit Bus that Patch reported on: According to LPD, the suspect is a black male in his 40s; he was wearing blue jeans, a white hooded sweatshirt and dark jacket when around 7:30 a.m. he stole a NJ Transit bus.

Apparently, suspect had told the bus driver that he needed to go to West Orange, near the Codey Arena.  Instead of waiting for the 8:35 a.m. bus, which the bus driver told him he could catch, the suspect apparently stole the vehicle when the driver went into the mall for a break.  If anyone has any information, they should contact Livingston or West Orange police.

Fire

Rather routine week but LFD advises that there are special precautions to take with the snow. 

December 17 — Department responded to a couple of calls involving carbon monoxide detectors.  Homeowners on Herbert Terrace and Rainbow Ridge Drive called in with activated alarms.  LFD checked both, but found nothing.  Advised owners to check on detectors. 

Saturday, December 19 — There was a fire alarm transmission at St. Barnabas Medical Center, but department cancelled it prior to arrival.  No problem. 

Also, a false alarm in the high school gym at Kushner Academy. LFD checked entire area but found nothing.  The property manager advised. 

Sunday, December 20 — A call for CO transmission at a residence on Countryside Drive.  LFD found 14ppm of CO in area of oven.  The oven was shut off  and residence vented.  PSE&G was notified.