On July 9th at approximately 9:30 a.m. Officer Ricardo Santos investigated a report of a theft of packages that were left on the front steps of a home on Burnet Ave.
According to police, the residents reported three packages were delivered to them and stolen from their front steps. They showed the officer a Ring video of the suspects, who were wearing uniforms that appeared to be from a moving company in Maplewood.
Police state that Officers Earl Biddy & Carthaniel Crum from the Street Crimes Unit then went to the moving company and met with a representative. The officers conducted their investigation and were able to identify both suspects.
Police report that a short time later, one of the suspects arrived at the moving company and apologized to the officers for the theft and returned some of the stolen items to the officers. He was then arrested for his part in the crime. The arrested man is Jaquan Murray, 18, of Newark.
The recovered items were returned to the owners. Officers searched for the missing items, but could not find the contact lenses and medication.
According to police, Murray was charged with the theft and released from headquarters. Detectives are following up on the arrest and are looking to confirm the identity of the second suspect.
Union Police warn that there are periodic thefts by "Porch Pirates" in various parts of town. They recommend that residents take steps to safeguard they're property and ensure that their packages are correctly delivered.