‘Timely Call’ From Cedar Grove Resident Thwarts Burglary: Cops

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — A “timely call” from a Cedar Grove resident helped to thwart an attempted burglary at an unoccupied home last weekend, police said.

According to the Cedar Grove Police Department, the incident began around 10:26 p.m. on Saturday, when an alert resident called headquarters and reported that a man was trying to force his way into a neighboring house. The man then fled on foot north on Stevens Avenue toward Little Falls, the caller said.

The home is newly constructed and unoccupied, police said.

When Cedar Grove officers searched the area, they found a person matching the caller’s description on Stevens Avenue. The man, later identified as Simon Strong, 38, of Elmwood Park, originally provided a false identity. He was also wanted by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department for his suspected role in a burglary and had a “small amount” of marijuana in his possession at the time, police said.

Authorities charged Strong with burglary, hindering his own apprehension and possession of marijuana.

Cedar Grove Police Chief Joseph Cirasa said that “the timely call from the alert resident” and “the diligence of the officers” were key in making the arrest.

Residents can contact the police department at 973-239-4100, and in case of emergency 9-1-1.

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