Police Blotter: Burglary and Theft

May 29, 2012: Theft. On 05/29/12, a Union Township resident reported that he was a victim of a theft in Maplewood. The victim indicated that while walking south on Indiana Street, an individual riding a bicycle and wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt grabbed his tote-style bag and continued south onto Laurel Avenue. The bag contained keys, books, and work documents. The victim was not injured. 

May 30, 2012: Burglary. On 05/30/12, a Jacoby Street resident reported a burglary to his residence occurring during the daytime hours. The suspect(s) apparently gained entry to the residence by pushing in a window unit air conditioner, and then ransacked several bedrooms within the home. Victim reports that a Toshiba laptop computer and $3400 in cash is missing. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident. 

May 30, 2012: Warrant Arrest. On 05/30/12, Officer D. Lawson observed a white Mitsubishi speeding on Boyden Avenue with its headlights off and conducted a traffic stop. Officer Lawson subsequently learned that the operator, Starkia Matthews, 26, of Newark, was wanted out of Scotch Plains and North Plainfield. She was subsequently arrested, summonsed, and turned over to the custody of Scotch Plains Police Department. 

May 31, 2012: Theft. On 05/31/12, between the hours of midnight and 9:00 am, a manhole cover was stolen from the rear parking lot of a Valley Street apartment building.

Anyone with information on this or similar theft is encouraged to contact the Detective Bureau at 973-762-3400. 

June 2, 2012: Warrant Arrest. On 06/02/12, Officer J. Lareau and Officer D. Lawson were patrolling the area of Boyden Ave. when they observed a suspicious male riding a bicycle, and dragging a lawnmower, weed whacker and hedge cutters. The male, later identified as Trevor L. Williams, 46, of Newark was also in violation of Title 39 vehicle laws. Officers conducted a field stop, and learned that Williams had several open warrants for his arrest. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Essex County jail. 

June 2, 2012: Burglary (Arrest Made). On 06/02/12, at approximately 6:50pm, a Richmond Avenue resident returned home to find an individual standing on the rear deck of his home. When the individual observed him, he entered the back door of the residence, and then fled out of the front door. Officers responded to the area and began a search for the suspect. With the assistance of South Orange Police, the suspect was located on Beach Street and after a foot pursuit, was taken into custody. The suspect was identified as Ramon Daniels, 28, of Newark, NJ. At the time of his arrest, Daniels was found to be in possession of several items that had been removed from the victim’s home. He was subsequently charged with burglary, theft, eluding and resisting arrest.