Nutley PD is appealing to the public for help in finding a “smash and grab” who broke into a car and a home burglar.
Police provided these details about the apparently unrelated incidents:
On May 7, at 1:30 a.m., police responded to the Nutley Diner on Centre St. on a report of criminal mischief to an auto.
Police were told that someone had thrown a brick through the window of the vehicle and had removed the owner’s iPad, personal items and two handbags.
A check of surveillance footage showed a suspect in the area, described as a black male, about 5-feet-eight, with a beard and glasses, wearing a dark colored T-shirt, camouflage shorts and sneakers, who, according to police, later sold the same iPad at a BP gas station in Newark.
Police said that same suspect allegedly stole an employee’s wallet, used the victim’s debit card in Newark and attempted to cash the victim’s paycheck in Fair Lawn.
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On May 8, police were called to a Hillside Ave. condominium apartment on a report of a burglary.
The resident told police she had left her apartment at about noon and when she returned at 3 p.m., she found jewelry and valuables missing.
Detectives review interior surveillance footage that disclosed a light skinned male entering the building by picking the lock, then gaining entry to the victim’s apartment the same way.
The suspect is seen leaving a short time later carrying a bag.
Police are asking anyone able to identify either suspect or who may have information on either crime to contact the Nutley PD Detective Bureau at 973-284-4940, ext. 2174, or to use the anonymous Tip Hotline by texting information to “CRIMES” (274637) using keyword “NPDTIPS” or log onto Tipsoft.com.
– Ron Leir
