By: Richard L. Smith
In a display of quick action, Glen Ridge Police Sergeant Anthony Mazza responded to an audible car alarm and thwarted a burglary in progress at the Hillside Avenue parking lot.
Officials said the incident happened as Sgt. Mazza was on patrol and heard the car alarm sounding off.
Simultaneously, a Glen Ridge Crossing Guard was in contact with police headquarters to report an ongoing auto burglary they had witnessed.
Sgt. Mazza, acting promptly, entered the parking lot to investigate the situation. What he encountered was a broken vehicle window and a male suspect attempting to walk away from the scene.
Instructing the individual to halt, the suspect instead chose to flee the area, making a run toward Bloomfield in an attempt to evade capture.
Bloomfield Police official said Sgt. Mazza gave chase on foot, pursuing the suspect to the front of the store located at 710 Bloomfield Avenue.
Despite the suspect's attempt to cross Bloomfield Avenue, Sgt. Mazza persevered, continuing the pursuit until he managed to apprehend the suspect just east of Clark Street.
The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Mr. Kelvin Ollennu of East Orange, was placed under arrest without further incident.
An investigation subsequently revealed that Ollennu was in possession of property taken from the burglarized vehicle.
Ollennu now faces multiple charges, including Resisting Arrest, Theft, Burglary to Auto, and Criminal Mischief. The incident remains under investigation, and the charges have been forwarded to the Essex County Superior Court.
He is also suspected of vandalizing vehicles in Montclair.
It is important to note that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.