RAHWAY — As a result of increased community outreach efforts, officers from the Rahway Police Department were able to quickly arrest and charge two suspects who burglarized a house on Murray Street on Oct. 4.
Rahway Police Officer Michael Twerdak and Detective Thomas McComb arrested Elliott Greene and charged him with burglary. Officers canvassed the area and alerted neighbors of the incident. With the assistance of the residents in the community, officers and detectives were able to quickly identify the suspects involved and make an arrest.
Witnesses reported seeing a black male running from the back yard of a residence that was burglarized. The suspect allegedly was seen getting into a white minivan driven by a white male. Residents in the area reported seeing the van circling the area prior to the burglary. The driver of the vehicle has been identified, and is scheduled to turn himself in, in the presence of his attorney.
“Rahway Police Officers did an excellent job canvassing the neighborhood, and speaking to residents about the incident,” said Mayor Sampson Steinman. “The increased community outreach by the Rahway Police Department helps to deter, and in this case solve, crimes. The citizens are often the best source of information. It’s great that the community and the police department are able to work together to keep Rahway safe.”
As part of their increased community outreach initiative, the police are utilizing “door hanger” tags to notify residents of important incidents. The door hangers, available in both English and Spanish, alert residents that the police are investigating an incident or suspicious activity in their neighborhood.
Chief John Rodger reminds residents that it’s crucial that residents call immediately if they observe something out of the ordinary. “It’s important for the community to realize that they are our eyes and our ears. If you see or hear something suspicious, don’t wait. Call the police and we will investigate.”
Residents can call the police department “TIPS” Line, a confidential hot line, at 732-388-1553 with information about crimes and suspicious activities or email [email protected].