By: Richard L. Smith
A 20-year-old Irvington resident was arrested Thursday morning following two separate motor vehicle burglary incidents reported within minutes of each other in Maplewood, according to a statement released by Maplewood police.
Authorities said the first call came in at approximately 10:01 a.m. on February 19, 2026, when officers were dispatched to Midland Boulevard after a resident reported seeing an unknown individual enter a vehicle parked in front of a home.
The suspect was last observed walking toward Warren Road.
Roughly 25 minutes later, at about 10:25 a.m., officers responded to a second report on Essex Road.
In that incident, a caller told police he observed an unknown man inside his supervisor’s vehicle. The suspect allegedly exited the car and headed south on foot toward Maplecrest Park.
In both cases, callers described the individual as a man wearing a black mask, black hooded sweatshirt, black jacket, and dark sweatpants with white stripes.
Police canvassed the surrounding area and located a person matching the description on Springfield Avenue.
Following an on-scene investigation, authorities identified the suspect as Arron Ellis, 19, of Irvington.
Ellis was taken into custody and charged with burglary to a motor vehicle in connection with the incidents.
The investigation remains ongoing.