Police Capture Lead Suspect in Tuxedo Park Burglaries

Police arrested a man they consider a lead suspect in some burglaries in South Orange. Donny Bass, 39, of Newark, was caught while allegedly burglarizing a South Orange Avenue home Monday around 9 a.m. in the Tuxedo Park neighborhood.

South Orange Police Department, with assistance from Newark police, took Bass into custody after a neighbor allegedly witnessed him enter a home through a front-porch window. He was found under the basement stairwell of the house, according to officials.

New Jersey Department of Corrections information shows Bass has numerous burglary offenses in Essex County that date back to August 2001. It also reveals Bass was released from custody Oct. 20 of this year.

On Wednesday, the South Orange Police Department's Detective Bureau identified two suspects in Tuxedo Park burglaries using forensic evidence. Derrick Myers, 42, of Orange resident was arrested on Nov. 5 and charged for the August 22  burglary and theft from a South Kingman Rd. residence. Bass was the second suspect.

Both Bass and Myers face burglary charges, according to officials.

West Orange police officials said they consider Bass a suspect in recent rash of burglaries in the neighborhood adjoining South Orange, but could not confirm his role in the crimes.

South Orange and West Orange police departments worked together Thursday to arrest another suspect, Taj Beckett, 18, according to a release by South Orange police.

Beckett allegedly entered Warren Court homes near Seton Hall University in South Orange, though it is not known what was taken.

Beckett is charged with two counts of burglary/theft and conspiracy to commit burglary. He currently is being held in Essex County Correctional Facility. 

It is not known at this time whether any of the charges faced by Beckett, Myers and Bass are related to a burglary spree in Millburn, Maplewood, South Orange and West Orange, where a total of 14 attempted burglaries and 34 burglaries have been reported in the past month. It also is not known at this time if there is any connection between the three.

In all the burglaries, thieves have been taking electronics, jewelry and, sometimes, cash. Officials told Patch the stolen items are being sold. Sold for what, though, authorities said they do not know.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available. 

View an interactive map of the burglaries . Learn about neighborhood watch programs . Read more about the burglaries .