MPD arrest man for Golf Island area burglaries

James Clark

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Police Department has arrested a Trenton man for a number of overnight burglaries that occurred over the past weeks in the Golf Island area of town near Maplewood Middle School. At one of the burglaries, at approximately 1:15 a.m. on Aug. 11, the homeowner confronted the suspect in his dining room.

Through investigation, the Maplewood Police Detective Bureau developed a suspect, who was later identified as James Clark, 47, of Trenton. On the morning of Aug. 20, Maplewood detectives working in coordination with the New Jersey Department of Parole arrested Clark at his home in Trenton.

Detectives reportedly recovered stolen proceeds in Clark’s possession, as well as in his room. According to police, detectives have linked some of the recovered proceeds to several other recent burglaries in South Orange and in Highland Park.

A total of nine criminal complaints were filed and placed onto a warrant. The charges range from burglary and theft to criminal mischief and credit card fraud. At this time, the investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending. Clark is currently being held in the Essex County Detention Center.

“I want to thank and recognize members of the Detective Bureau,” Maplewood Police Chief Jimmy DeVaul said. “It was through their hard work and dedication following up on leads ranging from locating video surveillance to physical evidence located at the scenes that led to the arrest of James Clark. I would also note that the police department received several tips from residents that led to Clark’s arrest.”