Crime & Safety

Police: Resident's Call May Have Thwarted Burglary

Cedar Grove Police urge residents to be alert after a suspicious incident on Devonshire Road.

A Cedar Grove resident may have stopped a potential burglary, police said, after a suspicious person was spotted visiting various homes on Devonshire Road.

Cedar Grove Police were called to the residence at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, after receiving a call of a suspicious person.

Police said the man was going door to door claiming that he was soliciting business for snow removal, despite the fact that there only had been a dusting of snow.

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After speaking with the man, officers became suspicious of his story and did a background check, said Cedar Grove Chief of Police Richard Vanderstreet. They discovered that he had recently been released from jail for burglary offenses, he said.

Since no crime had been committed, police had to release the man.

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Police sent out a NIXLE alert to residents alerting them to be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

"We believe the resident’s quick call to the police department may have thwarted a burglary to a neighbor’s home," police said. "Residents are asked to report suspicious activity to the police desk at 973-239-4100 or 9-1-1, if there is a crime in progress."


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