More Home Burglaries, But Two More Arrests

Two homes in one neighborhood were broken into over the Thanksgiving weekend while the owners were away. In one instance, a home alarm alerted police immediately. In the other, the homeowner discovered the break-in upon returning home the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Maplewood Police Capt. Paul Conlon provided the following information:

Nov. 24, 2010: Theft from Auto — Sometime between 3:45 pm and 8:30 pm someone entered an unlocked 2001 Lexus parked in a driveway on Meadowbrook Place.  A Magellan Roadmate GPS unit and a bag of clothing was removed from the auto.  There was no damage reported to the car.

Nov. 26, 2010: Burglary — A home on Kendal Avenue was broken into just after 4:30 in the morning.  Police were notified of an alarm activation at the house and discovered a broken second floor window upon their arrival.  The homeowner was away at the time and police checked the home's interior. Police said some dresser drawers appeared disturbed but no items were missing. 

Nov. 27, 2010: Burglary — A Walton Road resident returned from a holiday trip just before 10:00 p.m. and discovered his home was broken into while the family was away.  The burglar broke a pane of glass on a rear door and was able to gain entry into the house.  Several dresser drawers were disturbed in a second- floor bedroom but the homeowner reported nothing was missing.  Detectives determined the burglary occurred between Nov. 25 and Nov. 27 while the resident was away.

Nov. 29, 2010: Trespassing Arrest — An alert resident notified police of two men walking into a backyard of a home on Meadowbrook Road at approximately 4:00 p.m.  The two men were unknown to the neighbor and the home was vacant due to recent house fire. The first officer on scene, Ptl. Thomas Kincaid, located Zakee Martin, 24, of Irvington, and Bruce Coston, 30, of Lake Hopatcong, inside the garage and arrested them for trespassing.  During the arrest, Martin was found with three screwdrivers in his possession and was also charged with possession of burglary tools.