String of Vehicle Burglaries Linked to Cranford Man, Cops Say

A Cranford man wanted for an outstanding warrant was caught early Tuesday morning after burglarizing multiple vehicles in the area of Ramapo and Cayuga roads, police said.

Patrick J. Lyman, 20, was charged with seven counts of burglary, theft and receiving stolen property.

According to Cranford Police, Lyman was spotted walking in the area of a string of vehicle burglaries that occurred Monday evening into Tuesday. He was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant from the Warren County Jail, Cranford Police said.

Lyman was in possession of more than $100 in items and more than $25 in loose change stolen from unlocked vehicles in the area, police said.

Sgt. Christopher Polito linked Lyman to seven vehicle burglaries and returned stolen items such as credit cards, sunglasses and a cell phone to the vehicle owners, police said.

Lyman is being held at the Warren County Jail on $25,000 bail pending a June 24 court appearance.

Cranford Police Chief Eric Mason commended his officers for being able to solve the case quickly.

“Left unchecked, these crimes of opportunity will have a negative impact on any community,” he said in a release. “Our officers will continue to conduct deterrent patrols in our neighborhoods and our detectives will work diligently to solve those crimes that do occur.”