By: Richard L. Smith
In 2024, the Township of Maplewood has seen a notable increase in burglaries, prompting a robust response from the Maplewood Police Department.
The department is dedicated to preventing these crimes, thoroughly investigating incidents, and apprehending those responsible.
Investigations have revealed that the burglars typically aim to enter homes, locate vehicle keys, and steal cars from driveways or garages.
Residents are advised not to confront the suspects but to call 9-1-1 immediately.
These burglaries usually occur between 2:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., primarily affecting residents west of Springfield Avenue to the Millburn border of Wyoming Avenue.
The investigation has also identified a pattern in the targeted vehicles, which include BMW X3, X5, and M Package; Audi Q4, Q5, and Q8; Mercedes GLC, GLE, and AMG Package; Porsche Macan and Cayenne; and Range Rover models.
The police department remains committed to keeping the community informed about their progress.
In response to the surge in burglaries, the Maplewood Police Department has implemented several proactive measures:
- Increased patrol officers in the affected areas during the specified time frame, with high visibility details occurring across all three police shifts using marked vehicles and uniformed officers.
- Deployment of detectives on the streets during the high-risk hours, utilizing unmarked vehicles and plainclothes detectives.
The Detective Bureau is actively investigating the burglaries, working in collaboration with multiple local, county, and state agencies to share data and information.
The investigation methods include field interviews, canvassing, video gathering, fingerprint submission, and collecting evidence from crime scenes to identify and apprehend suspects.
Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions:
- Continue to lock doors and use alarm and camera systems if available.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately in case of any emergency or suspicious activity between 2:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Officers will be in the area to provide a quick response.
- For non-emergencies or to provide information regarding the burglaries, residents can call 973-762-3400.
- Sign up for a free home security survey at maplewoodpd.org.
The Maplewood Police Department emphasizes that resident safety is its top priority and is dedicated to addressing the burglary issue with all available resources.