Running Mercedes Stolen From CVS In Millburn, And 4 Other Car Thefts Reported

MILLBURN, NJ — Car thieves took off with a woman's Mercedes that was running in the CVS parking lot on Jan. 2, the Millburn police said.

The report was among seven reports of cars that were either stolen or burglarized in Millburn in the last three weeks.

Three cars were recovered in Newark and one in Livingston.

Here are the reports:

On Christmas morning at 10:05 a.m., Millburn Police Officer Jezewski responded to a West Road residence on a report of burglary to a vehicle. The resident said a stranger entered their 2022 BMW X5 in the driveway. The suspect was described as a light-skinned male, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, and a face mask. The incident remains under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.

Four days later, on Dec. 29, Millburn Police Officer Palmer responded at 5 p.m. to a Minnisink Road residence on a report of theft of a vehicle. The resident reported that someone took their 2018 Mercedes E43 from their driveway. The key fob had been left in the vehicle. The vehicle was later recovered in Newark, police said.

At 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 31, Millburn Police Officer Lyons responded to a Hartshorn Drive residence on a report of theft of a vehicle. The investigation revealed that two people entered a home and swiped the key fob for the 2022 Range Rover that was in their driveway. The burglars took the key, car, and a wallet. The Range Rover was later recovered in Newark.

On Jan. 2, a running car was stolen from a CVS parking lot. Police said that at 7:42 a.m., Officer Aliotta responded to CVS on Millburn Avenue. The owner said someone took her 2019 Mercedes CLS from the parking lot. It had been left running, unlocked, with the key fob in it, for just a few minutes, she said. The car was found in Newark.

Later that day, at 12:30 p.m., Millburn Police Officer Matos responded to a Delbarton Drive residence on a report of burglary to a vehicle. A residents said a man in an orange hoodie tried to enter his BMW in the driveway. The would-be theif then joined an in a white hoodie, entered a waiting White Hyndai, and drove away. "The investigation revealed that the same actors attempted to enter a vehicle on Kenilworth Drive," police said.

On Jan. 7, at 9:58 a.m., Officer Reid responded to a Harsthorn Drive residence on a report of car theft. Someone stole a 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a purse and key fob in it, from the driveway, police said. A person later tried to use the credit cards later, police said. The vehicle was ultimately found in Livingston.

On Jan. 8, at 5:29 a.m., Millburn Police Officers Wichlens and Bifano noticed a stolen 2020 Acura
TLX on White Oak Ridge Road near Hemlock Road, police said. They stopped the car, but "the occupants began to flee," according to police. Wichlens was able to apprehend two male suspects. Bifano chased a third male suspect and captured him by Hartshorn School. The fourth person was found soon after hiding in a yard, police said.

Asad Pitts, 20, was charged with receiving stolen property and obstruction, police said. Also, a 17-year-old male and two 14-year-old male suspects were charged with juvenile delinquency (receiving stolen property). Pitts was later released and the three teens were released to family members.