UPDATE TUESDAY: Police
released more information Tuesday on the home invasion, including that one suspect is still at large.
The press release is below:
Police responded to a 911 call from a resident of Springfield
Ave at approximately 12:30 in the afternoon on Friday. The caller, who was outside the home as Police arrived
reported to the officers that his girlfriend was in his apartment and that four men with guns had just broken in and were
assaulting the woman. As Officers attempted to gain entry into the first floor apartment three black males
ran from a basement door through backyards towards Boyden Ave. Several Officers pursued them on foot and apprehended two suspects
in the area of Jacoby St and 44th St.
Located inside the apartment was the female victim, a
28 year old woman from East Orange. The woman sustained minor injuries in the assault and was treated by
the First Aid Squad on scene. She refused transportation to the hospital.
As
Patrols conducted a preliminary search of the home they found one suspect hiding in a crawl space in the basement and arrested
him. Also recovered in the basement were two hand guns and one rifle.
At the time of the incident it was unclear if there were any suspects remaining inside the home and the K-9 units
from both Essex and Union County Sheriff’s Departments were called to assist with the search of the home and the surrounding
area. After an extensive search of the home and the surrounding neighborhood the area was determined to
be safe at approximately 3:30.
UPDATE FRIDAY:
Police arrested three adult males in connection with Friday's home invasion on Springfield Ave. The incident occurred at about
2 p.m. at a private residence near the former Hathaway's, just off Boyden St. Sgt. Joe Guglielmo declined to identify the
suspects, but said they are being held at the Maplewood police station awaiting transport to the county jail Saturday.
Police
on the scene said numerous weapons were removed, and Guglielmo said the men were charged with robbery, kidnapping, terroristic
threats, possession of weapons, aggravated assault and burglary. The arrests occurred after "a lengthy foot chase,"
he added. He had no information on the victims, other than that they were attacked in their home. No injuries were reported.
The disruption forced nearby Seth Boyden School into lockdown Friday afternoon and delayed dismissal, according to
PATCH. Traffic in
the area was being rerouted to side streets and caused back-ups.
The area was declared all
clear at 3:30 p.m.
