Auto-Related Crime Continues on Jacoby Street

Auto-related crime on Jacoby Street and environs continued this past week, as revealed in the weekly Maplewood Police blotter which was released this afternoon. (The complete Police blotter appears below.)

Jacoby Street has been the scene of a number of auto break-ins and thefts from auto this summer, prompting Township leaders to send a letter to residents, hold a public safety awarenesss event on the street this past Saturday, September 11, and schedule a community meeting for this evening at 7:30 p.m. at DeHart Community Center.

These actions were planned or took place before Sunday morning when . Police and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office are still investigating the crime.

This week's Maplewood Police blotter comes to us courtesy of Captain Paul Conlon:

September 6, 2010: Attempt Auto Theft: A resident of Jacoby Street reported that an unknown actor attempted to steal his 2002 Audi that was parked in the driveway. Damage was done to the driver's side door lock and the ignition switch on the steering column sometime during the overnight hours.

September 6, 2010: Criminal Mischief to Auto: Damage was caused to the door lock of a Nissan Maxima parked in the driveway of a home on Jacoby St. sometime between 11:30 pm on September 5 and 12:50 p.m. on the September 6. There was no sign of damage to the ignition and no items were reported missing from the auto.

September 6, 2010: Theft from Auto: Sometime between 5:00 p.m. on the September 5 and 3:40 p.m. on September 6, an unknown actor broke the side vent window of a 1994 Toyota parked in a parking deck of a Valley St. apartment building. After gaining access to the vehicle an Alpine stereo, subwoofer, and speakers were taken from the auto. 

September 8, 2010: Burglary, Theft, Receiving Stolen Property Arrest: Patrols responded to the area of William St. at 5:12 a.m. after receiving a call from a resident of two black males looking into parked cars. As officers arrived they observed one subject walking away from a car and carrying a black canvas bag.  The vehicles owner indicated to Police that his rear window was broken on his car and the subject, Namir Lester, 18, of Harrison Pl., Irvington, was arrested. Mr. Lester was charged with Burglary, Theft, and receiving stolen property.

September 10 & 11, 2010: Burglaries: Several residents in the area of Menzel Avenue and Boyden Avenue reported Burglaries or attempted Burglaries during the overnight hours. In each of the incidents the actor gained entry or attempted to gain entry through unlocked first floor windows. Some of the residents reported being awakened by the actor when he was trying to gain access to the home. One victim reported seeing the actor leave the house and described him as a black male in his late teens, wearing a black t-shirt and a black baseball hat. Maplewood Police remind all residents to employ the basics of good crime prevention and secure your doors and windows and utilize exterior lighting whenever possible. Anyone with information on these incidents can contact the Detective Bureau at 973-762-3400 ext 7905.