Cops: Morris Twp. Teen Found With Stolen Laptop, GPS

A Morris Township teen was taken into custody early May 30 after he was found to be in possession of several items believed stolen in the area, police said.

The items included a laptop computer reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle and several GPS units believed taken from other unlocked vehicles in the area, according to police.

Capt. Rich Ferrone said that at about 3:30 a.m., an Elder Drive resident surprised a person described as a juvenile male breaking into a car. The juvenile fled the scene, police said.

In searching the area, Ptl. David Xenitelis encountered another juvenile male, age 17, from Morris Township, who was spotted riding a bicycle and carrying a laptop computer, Ferrone said. Police stopped the youth and the computer was found to have been stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Irondale Avenue, Ferrone said. The teen also possessed several GPS units believed taken from other unlocked vehicles in the area, police said. 

The teen was taken to the Morris County Youth Detention Center pending a hearing in family court, police said. The youth who had been seen breaking into the car on Elder Drive was not found, police said.

Ferrone said there is no reason to believe either teen had any connection to . On May 27, Eugene Hayes, 39, of Morristown, was reportedly traveling by bicycle in the early morning hours, carrying items believed stolen from a restaurant and unlocked cars in the area, when he was arrested by Morris Township officers, police said.

"It's happening in towns all around here," Ferrone said. "The economy isn't good and unlocked cars are seen as an easy target."

The Morris Township Police urge residents to lock their cars and remove valuables from sight, whether the vehicle is parked in the street or in their driveways.

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