A Cranford New Jersey detective who was off duty spotted a burglary suspect who was allegedly in the process of committing a break-in.
The suspect, a 23-year resident of Plainfield, NJ, was wanted on suspicion of committing burglaries in Union County, Morris County, Essex County, Middlesex County, and Somerset County.
The suspect was reportedly seen leaving a residence located on Locust Drive in Cranford, New Jersey. According to authorities, an off-duty detective with the Cranford Police Department saw the suspect carrying stolen items and fleeing the scene of the break-in.
Police officers eventually caught up to the suspect and placed him under arrest. Law enforcement soon learned that the suspect was already wanted for break-ins and thefts in other counties. In fact, Cranford NJ police had already worked together with police in Berkeley Heights, Clark, Hillside, Mountainside, Watchung, and Westfield to investigate the previous burglaries.
The suspect faces multiple criminal charges, including burglary, theft of movable property, and criminal mischief.
After being arrested and charged, the suspect was moved to the Union County Jail in Elizabeth, NJ.
For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Off-Duty Cop Catches Burglar Wanted in 5 N.J. Counties, Police Say.”