SOPD Makes Burglary Arrest Following a Neighbor’s Tip

Action by an observant neighbor led to anarrest for the on Wednesday morning.

Rodney Singletary, a 46-year-old East Orange resident, was arrested at approximately 7 a.m. on Sinclair Terrace.  Officers responded to a tip that Singletary had broken into a home through a cellar door.  A neighbor observed the break in and dialed 9-1-1.  Officers responded and set a perimeter in the area, leading to the arrest as Singletary attempted to flee.

In an e-mail to supporters, Janine Buckner, the coordinator of South Orange’s Neighborhood Watch, applauded the work of the program which helped lead to the arrest.

“The joint efforts of SOPD, residents, and businesses in our community are making a difference,” wrote Buckner.  “We are witnessing the functions of an effective Neighborhood Watch program that truly works.”

South Orange Village President Alex Torpey followed Buckner’s comments with a Facebook post of his own, thanking the work of the program.

“This morning, thanks to quick action on behalf of our Neighborhood Watch team and officers at SOPD, an arrest was made of someone who made the mistake of coming to South Orange to selfishly burglarize our homes,” wrote Torpey.  “Although burglaries were down 48% in 2011 from 2010, these partnerships help keep our town safe and will continue to send the message that this community DOES NOT tolerate criminal activity.”

Singletary was also found to have warrant out for his arrest from the Essex County Sheriff's Department for committing a previous burglary in addition he is also a wanted individual from the state of Virginia on drug offenses.