Teens In Ski Masks Caught Entering Cars In Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The Maplewood police responded to a variety of crimes in the past week, from theft from the community pool to a bike theft.

Among the reports, this past Saturday, May 13, at approximately 4:11 p.m., Maplewood Police received phone calls from residents on Highland Avenue and Richmond Avenue about three males, all wearing black sweat suits and ski masks, allegedly walking up driveways and entering vehicles.

The resident on Richmond Avenue reported that her 2018 Porsche Macan was entered and the steering wheel column was damaged.

Officers responded to the area and stopped two juvenile males matching the description, police said. The juveniles were brought to police headquarters where they were charged with theft by unlawful taking and two counts of unlicensed entry/defiant trespassing, police said.

They were released to guardians.

Here is the rundown of the rest of the reports (verbatim), released Thursday by police:

Other Maplewood Police Items

May 11, 2023: Trespassing Arrest: On 5/11/23, Maplewood Police Officers responded to the
Skate House located in Memorial Park on a report of three males observed entering the closed
building. Officers conducted a search of the building and located 3 males, 18-year-old Russell
Williams, 18-year-old Charles Giannone, and 18-year-old Pablo Stein, all of Maplewood. The
males were charged with Defiant Trespassing and released with a court date.

May 11, 2023: Burglary Arrest: On 5/11/23, Maplewood Police Officers responded to the
Maplewood Community Pool on a report of an overnight burglary. The suspect made entry by an
unsecure rear door; however once inside forced entry was used on an interior Office door and a
laptop computer was removed. After investigation by Detective Rodrigues and Dolias a 21-year-
old male, Justin Bleasdale of Maplewood, was arrested and charged with two counts of Burglary
and Criminal Mischief with Damage. The laptop was recovered by the detectives and returned to
the owner.

May 13, 2023: Theft: A Hilton Ave Resident reported that her child had left their yellow/ orange
Huffy Valcon 20” six speed bicycle unsecured on Tuscan School Property. When the child went
back to retrieve his bicycle, it was missing.

May 13, 2023: DUI Arrest: On 5/13/23, Maplewood Police Officers responded to the
intersection of Springfield Ave and Prospect St for a motor vehicle crash with an unconscious
driver behind the wheel. During the investigation, Maplewood Police arrested a 50-year-old
male, Harold London of Denver, Colorado for Driving While Intoxicated. Mr. London was
issued his motor vehicle summons for Driving While Intoxicated along with 3 additional motor
vehicle summonses and released to the custody of a family member.

May 14, 2023: Trespassing Summons/ Arrest: On 5/14/23 at 10:54 PM, Maplewood Police
Officers responded to 1545 Springfield Ave, Quick Chek, for a defiant trespassing complaint.
Officer Dolan arrested 43-year-old Christopher Valentine of Maplewood, and issued a
complaint summons for Defiant Trespassing and a summons for Failure to Use a Crosswalk after
he was repeatedly asked not to be on Quick Chek property by management and officers.

May 17, 2023: Rummaged Motor Vehicle: A Fairview Terrace resident reported his vehicles
rummaged through during the overnight hours. No items of value were taken.