South Orange Police Probe Auto Burglary Wave, Offer Advice

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange police recently advised local residents to lock their car doors as detectives investigate a wave of auto burglaries in the township.

The South Orange Police Department issued the following advisory last week:

“We'd like to again remind residents the importance of keeping ALL vehicle doors, residential doors/windows locked and secure at all times. The overwhelming majority of vehicles that are burglarized begin with entry through an unlocked door. Our Detective Bureau is investigating this current wave of burglary to autos and has several leads. However, prevention is your first and foremost defense. Please SAFEGUARD your property and REMOVE a criminal's opportunity by locking doors and by not leaving any valuables inside vehicles, especially any valuables left in plain sight. Equally important, please contact the police department IMMEDIATELY upon seeing any suspicious or suspected suspicious activity. Contact Sgt. Adrian Acevedo with any questions regarding safety tips, security systems/cameras or home security surveys at (973) 763-3000, ext. 7802.”

According to South Orange police, the following incidents were recently reported in the township:

• “A Jersey City resident and SHU student reported that sometime between 4 and 8 pm, Wednesday 4-25-18 unknown actor(s) entered her vehicle, which was parked on 2nd Street, rifled through the interior and removed several items, including: a Mac Book Air laptop computer, a lenovo laptop, a North Face brand book bag and several thousand dollars-worth of ROTC National Guard gear.”
• “An East Orange resident reported at 2:18 pm on Wednesday, 4-25-18 an unknown actor entered his pickup truck, while it was parked in front of a house on 5th Street and removed his Apple iPad. The victim reported that he observed the actor (described as a skinny black male, 5'8" - 5'10 in height who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and had a black bandanna covering most of his face) inside his vehicle and then flee west on Fifth St. towards Academy Street. Police units responded and canvassed the area, but could not locate the actor.”
• “A Ralston Ave resident reported that sometime between 8 pm, Tuesday 4-24-18 and 10 am, Wednesday 4-25-18 actor(s) unknown entered three of he and his wife's vehicles. Several items, including; a wallet with identification, credit cards and cash as well as loose change was taken from the vehicles.”
• “Two 4th Street residents reported that sometime between 5:30 pm, Tuesday 4-24-18 and 9 am, Wednesday 4-25-18 unknown actor(s) entered their unlocked vehicles and rummaged through the interiors. Only some loose change is reported missing at this time.”
• “Two Tichenor Ave residents reported that sometime between 10 pm, Monday 4-23-18 and 11 am, Tuesday 4-24-18 unknown actor(s) entered their vehicles, rummaged through the interiors and stole several items including a Michael Kors bag, cash and loose change.”
• “A Wilden Pl. resident reported that sometime between 8 pm, Monday 4-23-18 and 7 am, Tuesday 4-24-18 unknown actor(s) entered her unlocked vehicle, rummaged through the interior and stole her purse, which was later recovered by police on Grove Rd.”
• “A Grove Rd resident reported that sometime between 11:30 pm, Monday 4-23-18 and 7:30 am, Tuesday 4-24-18 unknown actor(s) entered his vehicle, rummaged through the interior and stole an HP Laptop computer along with a gift card.”

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