A series of overnight burglaries hit one South Orange business and two Maplewood eateries this past week.
On Saturday morning, November 11, workers were installing a new door at Artie’s on Newark Way in Maplewood following a break-in. On Sunday morning, Sabatino’s on Valley Street was cleaning up shattered glass after someone broke through the front door and burglarized the popular pizza and sandwich shop. Both businesses were quickly back up and running.
Regarding a reported incident at Town Hall Deli on November 7, South Orange Police Chief Ernesto Morillo reported, “These jobs are showing as unrelated at this time. Our incident has yielded a positive ID of a former employee of Town Hall Deli. This person has been charged and that case is closed. Please look for an update on our blotter with more information.”
Update: The South Orange Police posted this update to the blotter on November 15: “South Orange Police responded to a restaurant on First Street on an activated burglar alarm [on November 7]. Responding officers discovered that the glass of the front door had been shattered by a rock. It was further discovered that the cash had been stole from inside the store. The burglary was captured on store security cameras and a suspect has been identified.”
Maplewood Police reported that “an object was thrown at the business glass door” at Artie’s early on November 11, with the suspect making entry into the business and removing the cash registers. “The damaged cash registers with the cash removed were recovered from a nearby Newark Way business,” according to a police release. “The actor is described as wearing a heavy coat, white hooded sweatshirt covering his head, a backpack, dark mask covering his face, and light-colored pants.” Police are asking that anyone with information or video of the incident contact Detective Baez at 973-761-7920 or email CBAEZ@MAPLEWOODNJ.GOV.
New yellow door at Artie’s on Newark Way.
Maplewood PD responded on Sunday morning, November 12, to a similar incident at Sabatino’s on Valley Street where the suspect smashed the glass door and “removed the cash register and exited through the same door. The actor was last seen in a dark colored SUV traveling north on Valley St into South Orange.” Anyone with information or video of this incident is being asked to contact Detective Rella at 973-761-7920 or email NRELLA@MAPLEWOODNJ.GOV.
A similar smash-and-grab burglary took place at Pickett’s on Millburn Avenue in Maplewood back in June (June 26, 2023 to be exact). Regarding that incident, 52-year-old Christopher Ransom of Union, NJ was arrested and charged with Burglary, Criminal Mischief, and Theft.
From Maplewood Police Officer Bruno Marto on Monday, November 13:
OVERNIGHT COMMERCIAL BURGLARIES
On Saturday November 11, 2023 at approximately 6:55 AM, Maplewood Police Officers responded to a business on Newark Way on a report of a burglary. After an on-scene investigation, it was determined that an object was thrown at the business glass door and then an actor making entry into the business. The actor removed the cash registers from the business and exited the same door. The damaged cash registers with the cash removed were recovered from a nearby Newark Way business. The actor is described as wearing a heavy coat, white hooded sweatshirt covering his head, a backpack, dark mask covering his face, and light-colored pants.
The Maplewood Police Detective Bureau is still investigating the incident. Anyone with information or video of the incident should contact Detective Baez at 973-761-7920 or email CBAEZ@MAPLEWOODNJ.GOV.
On Sunday November 12, 2023 at approximately 8:07 AM, Maplewood Police Officers responded to a business on Valley St on a report of a burglary. After an on-scene investigation, the actor made entry through a glass door by throwing an object through the door. The actor then removed the cash register and exited through the same door. The actor was last seen in a dark colored SUV traveling north on Valley St into South Orange.
The Maplewood Police Detective Bureau is still investigating the incident. Anyone with information or video of the incident should contact Detective Rella at 973-761-7920 or email NRELLA@MAPLEWOODNJ.GOV.
Maplewood Police Department we will work with other jurisdictions with similar incidents to apprehend the suspect(s) involved. Police patrols will be increased in the business district areas throughout the township.
