Cedar Grove Police Chase West Orange Man Through Local Backyard

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — Cedar Grove police arrested a West Orange man after officers spotted him “suspiciously” crouching in the backyard of a local home last week. The man was found in possession of possible burglary tools, authorities said.

According to the Cedar Grove Police Department, a Rockledge Place homeowner away from the home called police on Dec. 8 after his home security camera detected motion on his property. The homeowner said that the video showed a suspicious male crouching down next to his home.

The homeowner then gave officers a detailed description of the suspect and his location on the property. Cedar Grove officers arrived at the home around 8:25 p.m. and found a man later identified as Kevin M. McNamara, 65, of West Orange, in the backyard, authorities said.

When McNamara spotted the officers he took off running through an adjacent yard, but police apprehended him after a short foot chase, authorities stated.

Police found McNamara in possession of “numerous tools commonly used to commit a burglary,” including a flashlight, gloves and a screwdriver, authorities said.

Cedar Grove police charged McNamara with possession of burglary tools and obstruction of the administration of law. He was processed and released with a summons to appear in municipal court.

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