Bloomfield Police said on Saturday, May 22, at approximately 04:22 a.m., Officers responded to 48 Washington Street, Italia’s Pizzeria, on a report of a commercial burglary.
Upon Bloomfield Officers’ arrival, they observed a broken front door along with the cash register drawer broken into.
The interior of the establishment was checked for any suspect(s), which was negative.
Police said the pizzeria owner confirmed that there was approximately $20 in cash that was taken from the register.
Bloomfield Police Crime scene unit responded to process the scene of the burglary and recovered drops of blood located by the smashed front door.
Detectives investigated this incident and recovered surveillance video from the scene. The footage showed a male suspect, stop his vehicle on Bloomfield Avenue at the intersection of Washington Street.
Police said the male and another unidentified individual exit the vehicle, picked up a large rock, and then smashed the front door and entered the pizzeria.
While investigating this burglary, detectives were able to identify a suspect and the vehicle used. The suspect was identified as Mr. Sean Crotty, 37 of Elizabeth.
Police said Mr. Crotty was operating a 2007 silver Acura TL with Pennsylvania license plate LNT3698 at the time of the incident. Livingston Police Department was also looking for the same burglary suspect and vehicle for a similar incident in their jurisdiction.
“Working jointly with Livingston Police, our departments were able to issue warrants for the arrest of Mr. Crotty,” police officials said.
On May 28, detectives located Mr. Crotty operating his vehicle in the City of Newark.
They conducted a motor vehicle stop and he was placed under arrest. Mr. Crotty was charged with Burglary, Theft and Criminal Mischief and was transported to Essex County Correctional Facility. He has a pending court date for the charges.
Detectives are still pursuing the second individual at this time.