Alert Caller Helps With Stolen-Vehicle Case In Morris County

MONTVILLE, NJ — A Morris County resident became pivotal in helping police pursue a stolen vehicle Sunday night, authorities said.

An observant neighbor in the Valhalla section of Montville called 911 and explained what he considered suspicious to the dispatcher, local police said. The caller told the dispatcher that he saw males running from the neighbor's house.

The caller then described the white SUV they got into and which way it went, so police could anticipate where the vehicle would go. Montville officers found the vehicle and pursued it, but the case was turned over to assisting agencies.

The vehicle had been stolen from a different town and crashed elsewhere, allowing police to apprehend the occupants, authorities said.

"Because of this observant neighbor, our Township went another night without a crime and the actors were caught," the Montville Township Police Department wrote on social media. "Remember when calling 911 to stay calm, speak clearly, be descriptive and listen to the questions that the dispatcher is asking. Thank you to our citizen for reporting what he saw and thank you to our dispatcher and police officers that did an excellent job. Be vigilant and lock those doors!"