Chatham Police Officers Honored For Theft, Burglary, Fire Cases

CHATHAM, NJ — Two Chatham Township Police Officers were recently awarded for their work in different cases.

Det. Muta Blanford was given an “Exceptional Duty” award for “his role in solving three residential burglaries and motor vehicle thefts,” the police department wrote.

Blanford began working with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on the case, after the Morris County Auto Theft Task Force or ATTF was formed, following an uptick of car thefts within Morris County between 2018 and 2020.

He traced multiple home burglaries and car thefts in Chatham Township to Elijah Lott, 23, who pleaded guilty to nine different counts he was indicted for.

Lott was sentenced in September to two seven-year terms for conspiracy to commit theft and for theft. He was additionally sentenced for four years on four separate counts of burglary; and three years for three separate counts for taking and using credit cards, according to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

RELATED: Man Sentenced For Chatham Burglaries, Car Thefts: Prosecutor

Sgt. Scott Herchick was also given an “Honorable Service” award, by both the police department and Chatham Township Fire Department.

“The Chatham Township Police and Chatham Township Fire Department recognize Sgt. Scott Herchick for his actions and assistance at a recent house fire in the township,” the police department wrote.

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