From Friday, September 11 through Friday, September 18, Maplewood police recorded two incidents of motor vehicles striking young people in crosswalks, two attempted residential burglaries and a bike theft. The following is the police blotter for that week from the Maplewood Police Department:
09/11/2026 THEFT OF BICYCLE, MAPLEWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL: MPD patrols responded to Maplewood Middle School on a report of a stolen scooter. The caller reported that she secured the scooter across from the school at the Maplewood Library in the morning and when she returned after school, the scooter was gone. This incident is currently under investigation by the Maplewood Police Department’s Detective Bureau.
09/14/2026 ATTEMPTED RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY: On this date MPD patrols responded to a Warner Rodd residence on a report of an attempted residential burglary. The caller reported that three unknown male subjects attempted to gain entry into the residence through a first-floor window. The caller stated that while the subjects were attempting to gain entry into the residence the home’s audible alarm activated and the subjects fled the scene. This incident is currently under investigation by the Maplewood Police Department’s Detective Bureau.
09/14/2026 ATTEMPTED RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY: On this date MPD patrols responded to a Ridgewood Terrace residence on a report of an attempted residential burglary. The caller reported that he was awakened by his dog barking. When he checked the home’s cameras he observed three unknown male subjects attempting to gain entry into the residence through a first-floor window. This incident is currently under investigation by the Maplewood Police Department’s Detective Bureau.
09/15/2026 JUVENILE PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY MOTOR VEHICLE: (See earlier story) On this date, MPD patrols responded to Maplewood Middle School on a report of a juvenile male struck by a motor vehicle. The driver reported that a juvenile male attempted to run across Baker Street and struck the passenger-side mirror of his motor vehicle. The juvenile subsequently fell to the ground. The juvenile stated that, at the time of the incident, he was not attempting to cross the roadway at the designated crosswalk. The juvenile’s parents were notified of the incident and responded to Maplewood Middle School. The juvenile sustained an abrasion above his left eye, an abrasion to his left elbow, and an injury to the area of his left foot. The juvenile was subsequently transported to St. Barnabas Hospital for evaluation.
09/16/2026 JUVENILE PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY MOTOR VEHICLE: On this date MPD patrols responded to the area of Valley St and Park Ave on a report of a juvenile cyclist struck by a motor vehicle. The driver stated that while attempting to turn from Valley St onto Park Ave he struck the juvenile cyclist who was in the crosswalk. EMS was notified of the incident and responded to the scene. The juvenile’s father responded to the scene and later refused medical attention. The driver was issued (1) summons for 39:4-97 and (1) 39: 4-36 (careless driving and not yielding for someone in a crosswalk.)
The Maplewood Police Department works hard to protect residents and their property. We are asking that you assist us in this effort by making sure all vehicles and homes are properly secured at all times. All charges are merely accusations. Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Blue Envelope Program is a safety initiative designed to help individuals with Autism or other communication differences during interactions with law enforcement, especially during traffic stops. For more information, please contact the Community Engagement Unit at Ext: 7923
Also, the Maplewood Police Department offers FREE Home Security Surveys to residents of the Township. These surveys are designed to assist residents of security options they can use to further protect their residences. If you would like to have a survey conducted for your residence, please log onto www.MaplewoodPD.org and select the prompt for the Home Security Survey to fill out the request.
