Nutley has experienced two more attempted burglaries, Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo said.
The first one took place on Whitford Avenue and the second was on Grant Avenue , both in the morning of Dec. 4, 2023.
Chief Strumolo said police took a report from a Whitford Avenue resident who reported hearing suspects trying to gain entry to a home. The resident activated his vehicle alarm system that caused them to flee.
A short time later, those same individuals allegedly entered an unlocked home on Grant and stole the victim’s pocketbook from inside.
Police determined there were at least three actors when these incidents took place at approximately 3 a.m. The two locations are within walking distance to one another and it appears the actors were attempting to steal keys to high-valued vehicles parked in both driveways.
However, no vehicles were stolen and police say they are following all leads.
Petracco offered these tips:
- Lock all vehicle doors.
- Home windows and doors should be locked and secured
- Surveillance systems are great to have but do little to prevent the crime
- Alarm systems should be installed or activated when not home or sleeping.
- Exterior lighting is a deterrent, thieves (prefer to) operate in dark unlit areas.
- Inexpensive remote doorbell and motion detector systems are useful
- Make certain your vehicle’s GPS is up to date and activated.
- Do not leave your vehicle’s keys in the open
- Inexpensive air tags may be placed inside your vehicle or on your personal belongings
- Faraday bags may be purchased to store electronic devices that protect the signal
- Vigilant neighbor alert is always key — you know your neighborhood best, so notify police of any and all suspicious activity
- Take the plate of slow-moving vehicles that may be canvasing a neighborhood
- Notify police immediately if you suspect anything and never confront actors.
Anyone with information or who may have captured suspicious activity on a home surveillance or Ring system early this morning is urged to contact Nutley police at (973) 284-4940.
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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.