Two men who attempted to break into a high-end vehicle in Lyndhurst Wednesday, March 16, and who were caught by police were sent right back to the streets to do it all over if they so desired, even though one had an active arrest warrant with $2,000 cash bail and the other an extensive criminal history, Det. Lt. Vincent Auteri said.
Auteri says a Lyndhurst homeowner told police he saw two unknown men near a high-end vehicle when one attempted to gain entry by trying door handles. Fortunately the door was locked and the duo simply walked away.
After seeing this, the witness called 911 and responding Officer Nolan James located them as they walked along Riverside Avenue in nearby North Arlington.
When questioned, their stories didn’t add up, Auteri says, and further investigation revealed one of the men, Yahzeh Wooden, 23, had an outstanding $2,000-bail Newark arrest warrant.
Kyle Newton, 28, of Hillside, meanwhile, was identified as the man who attempted to get entry to the aforementioned vehicle, Auteri says.
Officer James was later joined by Lt. Paul Haggerty and Officer Glenn Flora, who placed the two under arrest.
Det. Nick Abruscato, who investigated the incident, was later able to secure surveillance video in the area that traced the actions of the two.
Newton was charged with burglary to auto, and despite having an extensive criminal history, was released on his own recognizance by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Auteri says (bail reform.)
Newark didn’t want to pick up Wooden, despite the issued warrant carrying $2,000 bail, so they issued him a new court day, and released him on his own recognizance, too, Auteri says.
Learn more about the writer ...
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.