Crime & Safety

Teen Hides, Helps Police Arrest Alleged Home Intruder

Cranford police chief applauds her courage.

Cranford police arrested a North Bergen man with the help of a 16-year-old girl who heard him allegedly try to enter her Holly Street home, hid and called 911.

Police responded to a report of a home burglary on Holly Street at 1:58 p.m. on Monday. A resident was home at the time and heard glass breaking in the rear of the structure.  The teenager called 911 and was able to hide in a second floor room while providing information on the suspect's movements to Officer Matthew Nazzaro.

Officer Sean Holcomb and Sergeant Frank Williams entered the house and located one 35-year-old male suspect carrying a bag of jewelry down a stairwell in the home. The suspect was placed under arrest without incident and charged with burglary, a third degree crime, as well as theft, criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools. He was later charged in connection with another burglary on Casino Avenue.

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The female victim was unharmed. 

Chief Mason commended the teen for her level-headed actions. 

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"She did exactly what we recommend in this type of situation," he said. "She stayed out of harm's way and bravely continued providing accurate information to law enforcement."

Following a brief investigation at the scene, including a search of the suspect's motorcycle, police recovered additional property and connected him to an unreported residential burglary on Casino Avenue. The victims in that case were not at home, and first learned of the incident when they were contacted by police.  He was charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief in that case as well.

The suspect was transported to the Union County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.  He is scheduled for a first court appearance on January 22. 


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