Bloomfield, Livingston Police Partner To Probe Pizzeria Burglary

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Bloomfield and Livingston police teamed up to investigate a burglary at a local pizzeria, eventually arresting an Elizabeth resident. Another suspect is still at large, authorities announced Wednesday.

The Bloomfield Police Department released a statement about the investigation:

“On Saturday, May 22 at 4:22 a.m., officers responded to 48 Washington Street, Italia’s Pizzeria on report of a commercial burglary. Upon the officers’ arrival, they observed a broken front door along with the cash register drawer broken into. The interior of the establishment was checked for any suspect(s) which was negative. The owner of the pizzeria confirmed that there was approximately $20 in cash that was taken from the register.”

Here’s what happened next, police said:

“Bloomfield police crime scene unit responded to process the scene of the burglary and recovered drops of blood located by the smashed front door. Detectives investigated this incident and recovered surveillance video from the scene. The video showed a male suspect stop his vehicle on Bloomfield Avenue at the intersection of Washington Street. The male and another unidentified individual exited the vehicle, picked up a large rock, and then smashed the front door and entered the pizzeria.”

After conducting an investigation, Bloomfield detectives identified a potential suspect, Sean Crotty, 37, of Elizabeth. Police also identified a vehicle allegedly used in the burglary, a 2007 silver Acura TL with Pennsylvania license plate LNT3698.

Bloomfield police then partnered on the investigation with the Livingston Police Department, which was also looking for the same burglary suspect and vehicle for a similar incident in their jurisdiction.

“Working jointly with Livingston PD, our departments were able to issue warrants for the arrest of Mr. Crotty,” Bloomfield police stated. “On May 28, detectives located Mr. Crotty operating his vehicle in the City of Newark. They conducted a motor vehicle stop and he was placed under arrest.”

Crotty was charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief. He was transported to Essex County Correctional Facility and has a pending court date for the charges.

Detectives are still pursuing the second individual at this time, Bloomfield police said Wednesday.

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