NUTLEY —
Police here are warning of yet another diversion burglary.
Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo said on Feb. 17, at around 11 a.m., a Mountainview Ave. resident reported that two men came to her home claiming they needed to enter because of a water-related issue.
Once the alleged burglars were allowed inside, one led the victim to her basement and caused her to be distracted by running water, while the accomplice entered the home and stole valuables from the master bedroom, the NPD said.
Police described the suspects as follows:
• Suspect 1: Tall thin man, approximately 20 to 30, fair skin with a beard.
• Suspect 2: An older, heavyset man in his 50s, with a grey beard.
A vehicle believed to have been used in the burglary was a newer-model, silver or grey, 4–door Chevy Silverado pickup.
Petracco said Clifton, Bloomfield and Caldwell all had similar incidents recently and he believe the suspects are the same in all the diversion burglaries.
Chief Strumolo, meanwhile, reminded residents this isn’t the first diversion burglary in the township.
“We had a similar diversion burglary on Union Ave. in January, and another on Feb. 2, on Bloomfield Ave,” the chief said. “They are often creative with their need to enter, and add a sense of urgency. Our detectives are investigating with Bloomfield police.”
Residents are reminded to never allow anyone into their home or provide personal information. If someone comes to your home and requests to enter, have them wait and call police.
Anyone with information on any of the burglaries should contact the NPD at 973-284-4940 or text CRIMES and start your anonymous message with NPDTIP. Or, log onto www.tipsoft.com and submit a tip to Nutley police.
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