Juvenile Theft Suspect Caught With Gun In Essex County: Police

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Cooperation between police in Glen Ridge and Bloomfield recently helped to apprehend three juvenile package theft suspects, one of whom was found with a gun in his waistband, authorities said.

According to the Glen Ridge Police Department, the incident took place on May 9 when officers responded to Ridgewood Avenue after getting a report about a package theft.

The resident told officers that they received a delivery notification, but there was no package when they went to the front door. Surveillance video footage showed three males – all dressed in black – fleeing the scene northbound on Ridgewood Avenue.

Shortly afterwards, a friend of the victim reported seeing the suspects on Glenwood Avenue in Bloomfield, police said.

When Bloomfield police arrived at the scene, they found the three suspects – all juveniles – and detained them in connection with the theft.

Police said that officers found a loaded handgun concealed in the waistband of one of the suspects. The juvenile was charged by both agencies and transferred to the Essex County Youth House, authorities said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.