The Verona Police Department is saying that there were two burglaries on the Forest side of town over the weekend and two attempted burglaries. The incidents happened on Morningside Road and on West Lincoln Street. Police Chief Huber says that although the burglar entered two houses, “we don’t think he got anything.”
The pattern of the Forest break-ins matches those attempted in the Laning area earlier this year. The burglar, working between midnight and 5 a.m. in most cases, gains entrance to the house through unlocked doors or windows in the rear of the house. “He has not looked for confrontation,” says Chief Huber, “and there has been no report of any weapons.” The limited descriptions the police have gotten of the suspect indicates that it is a male wearing dark clothing. Huber says the suspect is likely in good physical shape because he is climbing in and out of windows. He flees on foot, often through back yards.
The weekend burglaries and attempts bring to 10 the total number of burglaries for the year. Chief Huber says the suspect cannot be the person recently arrested in Cedar Grove on attempted burglary, because he is still in custody.
Chief Huber says there are several things that residents can do to lessen their chances of being targeted. The first is to make sure that rear windows and doors are locked, because this is how the burglar is gaining entrance. He also suggested a motion-activated light on the back of the house.
The police are altering their patrol schedules to catch the burglar but they ask that if you have any information about him, call the department’s non-emergency number, which is 973-239-5000 or the detective squad at (973) 857-4819. “If you hear something call us,” says Chief Huber. “We the need the residents’ help in catching this guy.”
