Suspect in James Street Burglaries Arrested

A 25-year-old city man was arrested Thursday and charged in a series of burglaries and thefts from homes in the James Street area, Newark police said in a statement.

Jamil Willis was arrested by patrol officers in the 2nd Precinct on outstanding warrants but was already being sought by detectives investigating the James Street incidents, police said. Willis, who allegedly made off with a vehicle as well as thousands of dollars’ worth of electronics, was charged with five counts of burglary and theft occuring between Aug. 14 and Sept. 4.

The crimes occurred late at night or early in the morning in a historic neighborhood of well-tended homes that’s considered among the city’s safest.

"Suspects who are brazen and desperate enough to repeatedly enter homes during hours when residents are typically at home are especially dangerous,” Police Director Samuel DeMaio said. “We are fortunate that through the dedicated efforts of our investigators and the diligence of our patrol units we were able to bring Willis' reign of terror to an end prior to any incidents of violence."