West Orange, Essex County Suspects Tried To Burglarize Home: Police

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Two Essex County adults and two juveniles were busted for attempting to burglarize a Berkeley Heights home when the owner was inside, according to police.

The Fickler Place resident reported that her doorbell rang twice. When she looked out the front window she saw a number of people walking around and towards the back of her home, she told Berkeley Heights Police dispatch on the phone Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1:19 a.m.

While police were responding, the caller reported she could hear the people trying to force their way into her home.

The caller turned on the rear outside lights of her home and the people fled the area.

When police arrived they found Gabrielle Goulbourne, 23, of West Orange sitting in a car, running and parked in the street with its’ lights off adjacent to the caller’s home.

Goulbourne was found to be in possession of a .22 caliber handgun and a small amount of marijuana.

Authorities set up a perimeter and after an extensive search, two juvenile boys, ages 14 and 16, as well as Lamar White, 22 from Orange, were found walking along Springfield Avenue.

Goulbourne was charged with attempted burglary, possession of a handgun, and possession of marijuana under 50 grams. She was lodged in the Union County Jail on $25,000 bail.

White was charged with attempted burglary and lodged in the Union county Jail on $10,000 bail.

The two juveniles were charged with attempted burglary on juvenile delinquency complaints and lodged into protective custody.

"The prompt and professional response of our officers to the scene and the swift response from the police departments from New Providence, Summit, Mountainside, Watchung, Chatham, Madison, Union County Police and the Union County Sheriff’s K-9, enabled us to apprehend these individuals and protect life and property," Berkeley Heights Police stated. "The resident should also be recognized for being alert and saying something when she saw something."

By Alexis Tarrazi (Patch Staff)