West Orange, NJ – West Orange experienced multiple vehicle burglaries on Monday and Tuesday evenings at Essex Green Shopping Plaza, specifically the parking lot of LA Fitness and other areas of the shopping plaza. Detective Austin Vanderhoof led the investigation with minimal evidence available at the crime scenes.
The West Orange Police Department worked with law enforcement from Verona and Cedar Grove Police Departments. Through video analysis and intelligence sharing, Detective Vanderhoof successfully identified the suspect. His methods included surveillance, interviews, and searches.
On December 2, Hakir Hodges, 28, from Newark, NJ, was charged in connection with these incidents. He faces eight counts related to burglary and theft from motor vehicles, and two counts of attempted burglary.
Hodges is currently held at Essex County Correctional Facility. Further details on the case have not been released at this time.