Man Faces More Than 20-Year Sentence For Chatham Car Thefts And Burglaries

CHATHAM, NJ — The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday that a man who committed multiple home burglaries and car thefts in Chatham Township, has been sentenced.

Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said in a news release on Friday that on Thursday, Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna sentenced Elijah Lott, 23, after Lott pleaded guilty to nine different counts that he had been indicted for.

Lott was sentenced 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.

Hanna also ordered Lott to pay $50,000 in restitution fees to those impacted by the crimes.

According to Lott's attorney, Robert Black, the sentences on all counts are to be run concurrent to one another. The total custodial term is seven years with no parole disqualification.

"Mr. Lott has taken full responsibility for his actions and is truly remorseful for any pain he has caused," Black said.

The investigation into Lott’s involvement with the Chatham Township crimes, according to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, started 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. The ATTF works with the New Jersey State Police's Auto Task Force, Carroll said.

Chatham Township Police Det. Muta Blanford worked with the ATTF as he looked into some burglaries and thefts that had happened within the township, eventually traced back to Lott.

“The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and our municipal police partners reaffirm our commitment to aggressively investigating and prosecuting those who prey on our residents and especially those who violate the sanctity of our citizens’ homes,” Carroll said. “The coordinated efforts of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Intelligence Unit, and the Morris County Auto Theft Task Force, resulted in the successful investigation, prosecution, and conviction of Elijah Lott.”

Caroll said in addition to the Chatham Township Police Department and ATTF, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morris Township Police Department and East Hanover Police Department, assisted with the investigation.

Editor's Note: This story was updated on Sept. 29, 2021, with the duration of Lott's sentences.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.