Burglary Suspect Arrested In Cedar Grove

Cedar Grove, NJ – Cedar Grove police have arrested a 37-year-old man accused of attempting to burglarize a Birch Road apartment while the resident was at home.

According to the Cedar Grove Police Department, the alleged burglary attempt took place around 2:10 p.m. on Thursday at the Cedar Grove Gardens apartment complex.

Police stated that a resident of the building reported that a male suspect – later identified as Kristopher M. Lauterbach, 37 - allegedly made his way into the locked vestibule of her building and attempted to forcibly open the front door to her apartment.

The resident told police that after hearing someone attempting to open her door, she observed the defendant through the peep hole and called out to him.

According to police, Lauterbach told the resident he was looking for someone, then quickly left the vestibule in an unknown direction.

The victim also stated that she allegedly saw Lauterbach exit the rear vestibule door of her building about 10 minutes prior to the incident.

Based upon the woman’s description, officers located Lauterbach in another area of the complex and positively identified him as the involved person.

After an investigation revealed pry marks on both the rear vestibule door and the victim’s interior front door, officers arrested Lauterbach and charged him with burglary. He was also found to be in possession of a burglary tool (a flashlight) and a Controlled Dangerous Substance (93 Alprazolam pills).

Lauterbach, who allegedly claimed to be homeless, was processed on all charges and transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, after he could not post the required $15,000 bail, police stated.

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