Chatham Cops: Three Township Men Among Four Who Burgled Cars

Chatham Borough Police arrested four men, all in their 20s, after finding stolen goods in the car they were riding in.

At 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 30, officers responded to Tallmadge Avenue after a resident reported hearing people opening and closing car doors, police said. The resident told police he believed they were breaking into cars, according to a police statement.

Police said officers observed a 2004 Toyota driving in the opposite direction with four occupants as they approached the scene.

Police stopped the vehicle and while speaking with the occupants they noticed numerous pieces of electronic equipment in the car, police said.

A search of the car was conducted and numerous navigation devices, jewelry, currency and documents were found, according to police.

The following four people were arrested as a result of the police investigation, police said:

• Michael C. Lizza, 24, of Manalapan
• Ernest D'Angelo, 20, of Morris Township
• Timothy North, 20, of Morris Township
• Kenneth Chih, 20, of Morris Township

All four were charged with burglary, receiving stolen property and conspiracy, police said. D'angelo was also charged with a provisional license violation, police said. Bail was set for all suspects at $7,500 and all but North were able to post, police said. North was committed to the Morris County Correctional Facility, according to police.

Police said they contacted several victims from the immediate area, identified by the items found in the car. The department is still in posession of many items whose owners are unknown, and they ask anyone who was the victim of a recent car burglary to contact the Detective Bureau at (973) 635-8000 to determine if their property was recovered.

Police also reminded residents to lock their car doors at all times and keep valuable items out of view.