There were three robberies in South Orange this week, two of which police say involved the same suspects.
On Monday, a teenager was waiting for a bus on Valley Street near First Street at around 6:40 p.m. when he was approached by two men who robbed him of his iPhone, computer and backpack. The teen said one of the men brandished a black handgun and demanded his property, which he gave them. The two then walked away south on Valley St. from First Street, said police. They were described as black males, one with dreadlocks.
On Wednesday, a 20-year-old man was walking on Third St. with his friend in the area of Academy St. when they were approached by two men who demanded their property, with one showing a gun in his waistband, police said. The men then removed both victim’s backpacks and after shoving one victim to the ground, both men fled east on Third Street.
Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspects. “They are the same people [in both incidents] and we have some leads,” said Chief James Chelel on Friday.
Both are described as being in their mid 20’s; one had braces, short hair and wearing a black hoodie. The other has long dreadlocks and was wearing a dark shirt and blue jeans.
Also on Monday, two young men on bicycles robbed a 20-year old man of his iPhone and wallet at roughly 1:10pm near Ward Place, said police. The victim said the two demanded he his property and told him they had a gun. The man did not see a weapon, said police. After taking the phone and wallet, the two fled east on Wilden Place into Newark.
Here is the rest of the South Orange Police Blotter:
5/15/2015
Warrant arrest
Syed Hussain, a 36 year old Glenridge resident was arrested on 5-14-15 at approximately 10:30am after he was stopped for committing a motor vehicle violation on South Orange Ave. During the subsequent field inquiry it was discovered that the subject had an outstanding warrant issued for his arrest out of Union NJ. The subject was arrested at the scene, transported to police headquarters and processed accordingly.
Warrant arrest
Shelton Walton, a 26 year old Newark resident was arrested on 5-14-15 at approximately 10:15am after he was stopped for committing a motor vehicle violation on South Orange Ave. During the subsequent field inquiry it was discovered that the subject had an outstanding warrant issued for his arrest out of Maplewood. The subject was arrested at the scene, transported to police headquarters and processed accordingly.
Burglary to dwelling
A So. Ridgewood Rd. resident stated that sometime between 9:00am and 10:30pm on 5-14-15 an unknown actor(s) had entered his dwelling by breaking a rear sliding glass door. Once inside the residence the actor(s) ransacked several rooms removing cash, cameras and numerous electronics. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
Theft from vehicle
A victim stated that he had parked his vehicle (2012 Toyota) on First St. and that sometime between 12:30pm and 1:30pm on 5-13-15 an unknown actor(s) had entered same and removed his cell phone and I-pad mini. There were no signs of a forced entry into the vehicle.
Theft of vehicle
A New York resident stated that she had parked her vehicle (2010 Acura) in a driveway on Harding Dr. at approximately 6:30pm on 5-13-15 and when she returned to it at 7:30am the following morning she discovered it had been stolen.
5/13/2015
CDS/arrest
Antoine Lee, a 21 year old Newark resident was arrested on 5-9-15 at approximately 4:10am after an officer conducted an inquiry of a motorist parked on Sinclair Ter. During the subsequent inquiry it was discovered that the subject had attempted to discard CDS (heroine) that was in his possession. The subject was arrested at the scene, transported to police headquarters and processed accordingly.
Burglary to dwelling
A Cottage St. resident stated that sometime between 4:30pm and 6:10pm on 5-11-15 an unknown actor(s) had entered her dwelling through an unlocked front porch window. The actor(s) had lifted open the screen to enter same and once inside removed a wallet from a backpack that was located in the dinning room. No other items were believed to be stolen. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
Burglary to dwelling
On 5-12-15 at 8:00pm a Ward Pl. resident stated that he heard a large crash and when he went to investigate an hour later he discovered that some unknown actor(s) had smashed a window located in the rear of his home. The actor had placed a trash can under the window in an apparent attempt to gain entry. No entry was gained to the residence. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
Assault
On 5-11-15 at approximately 1:10am a victim stated that he had exited a restaurant and was talking with a female in the Transit lot when another female, described only as a black female walked up to him and sprayed what he believed to be pepper spray in his face. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
Police Information
A Duffield Dr. resident stated that at approximately 4:35pm on 5-5-15 a suspicious individual approached her residence and was observed looking at her vehicles in her garage and inquiring about same with the resident’s son. The actor in question is described as being a white or Hispanic male with an olive complexion and was observed to be wearing a blue button down shirt and dark blue striped shorts. Officers responded to the scene and canvassed the area with negative results. The resident stated that the actor had entered a vehicle which was occupied by another subject and fled the scene.
5/4/2015
Theft
A 19 year old victim stated that she was attending a house party on Arnold Ter. and sometime between 2:00am and 3:00am on 5-1-15 an unknown actor had removed her I-phone from her purse.
Assault/arrest
Ryan Werner, a 21 year old Piscataway resident was arrested on 5-3-15 at approximately 2:45 am after officers responded to the campus of Seton Hall University on a call of a student that had assaulted another student. Upon arrival officers located the subject in Xavier Hall and placed him under arrest. The subject was transported to police headquarters and processed accordingly.
Warrant/arrest
Yolanda Byrd, a 39 year old Newark resident was arrested on 5-1-15 at approximately 9:15am after she was stopped for committing a motor vehicle violation on Valley St. During the subsequent stop and field inquiry it was discovered that she had several outstanding warrants issued for her arrest out of the city of Newark. The subject was arrested at the scene, transported to police headquarters and processed accordingly.
