By: Richard L. Smith
A multi-jurisdictional investigation is continuing following a series of motor vehicle burglaries and related fraudulent credit card use that occurred across several towns in Union County, authorities confirmed.
According to a statement from Chief Joseph Giannuzzi of the Mountainside Police Department, the incident began on January 13 at approximately 3:55 p.m., when officers were dispatched to the industrial-commercial area of Globe Avenue in Mountainside after receiving reports of motor vehicle break-ins.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered that multiple vehicles had been forcibly entered.
Uniformed officers quickly began securing the area, collecting evidence, and reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses.
Video footage showed a suspect actively committing the burglaries.
As the investigation took place, one of the victims reported unauthorized transactions being made with their stolen bank cards in the Town of Hillside.
Surveillance footage from that location provided additional images of the suspect, linking the criminal activity in Hillside to the Mountainside break-ins.
Mountainside Police oficials said Detective James Debbie of the Mountainside Police Department led the ongoing investigation, utilizing a combination of law enforcement databases and license plate reader technology to trace the movements of the suspect.
This diligent work ultimately led to the identification of Mr. Devon Reid, a 31-year-old resident of Newark as the individual responsible.
On March 10, the Edison Police Department encountered Reid during an unrelated domestic dispute.
Officers took him into custody based on local charges and an active criminal warrant issued by Mountainside Police.
Reid now faces multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of burglary to a motor vehicle
- Two counts of illegal use of credit cards
- Criminal mischief
- Criminal trespass
- Theft of movable property
Reid was initially held at the Middlesex County Correctional Facility in North Brunswick for charges related to the Edison incident.
In addition to the charges filed in Mountainside and Hillside, he is also wanted in the Town of Westfield for similar motor vehicle burglary offenses.
Law enforcement agencies across Union County are continuing to coordinate as the investigation remains active.
Authorities are reviewing any additional evidence to determine whether Reid may be connected to other related incidents in the region.
Anyone with information related to these or similar crimes is encouraged to contact the Mountainside Police Department.