Crime & Safety

Two Charged in Ellis Avenue Home Burglary

A man and a woman were arrested on burglary charges Sunday night after they broke into an Ellis Avenue home, police said.

Police arrested two Haledon residents who allegedly stole jewelry and electronic devices from a Fair Lawn home while its owners were out to dinner Sunday, Detective David Boone said. 

Officers responded to an activated burglar alarm at an Ellis Avenue home around 8:13 p.m. and spotted three people running from the house, Boone said. After a short pursuit, they arrested a 19-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man who had fled onto Morlot Avenue, the detective said. The third suspect escaped, police said.

Officer Ian Manelis, who along with Officer William Hickey helped catch the male suspect, suffered cuts to his hand and wrist, and injured his shoulder and leg during the pursuit, Lt. Derek Bastinck said. He was taken to Valley Hospital, but returned to duty later in the night after receiving treatment. 

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Police recovered stolen items dropped at the scene and in a bag that belonged to the suspects, including jewelry, a laptop and a Kindle, Boone said.

The two suspects, whose names have not been released, were taken to Bergen County Jail on $50,000 bail, the detective said. The third suspect remains at large and police are continuing to investigate, he said.

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Boone said the alleged burglars got into the home by breaking a back door window and using a key that was left in the door on the inside to unlock the door from the outside. They had been casing houses in the neighborhood, looking for adjacent homes that appeared to be empty to avoid being seen by neighbors, he said.

Boone urged residents who aren't home at night to leave lights on in their homes or spare cars in their driveways to give the appearance that somebody is inside. He also said residents should never hesitate to contact police after learning that their burglar alarm has been activated for fear that a false alarm will get them a summons.

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