Neighbors Credited With Leading Police To Maywood, N.J. Package Theft Suspects

MAYWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Maywood, New Jersey caught a group of alleged thieves going door-to-door stealing packages, and investigators have now thanked a couple of eagle-eyed neighbors for the arrests.

As CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported, residents had been working to capture the suspects, and catch them on camera.

Some residents may say in the most endearing way that Maywood, New Jersey is a sleepy town. But their eyes are wide open when it comes to their neighbors.

"That's Maywood," said Gina Keily. "We always make sure everybody takes care of each other, and we look out for each other here."

That was exactly what Keily and her stepfather, Peter Scanel, were doing Tuesday when they saw a group of suspicious men in a black sport-utility vehicle driving by on Thoma Avenue.

"When I saw them stop up at the corner, and two guys got out at the same time and ran up to the two porches at the same time, I started screaming at them!" said Gina Keily of Maywood.

Police said the men had been stealing packages off front porches in the area all morning. Keily called 911, while Scanel jumped into his truck and followed the suspected thieves to get their license plate.

"I was on my cellphone. I was talking to police headquarters: 'I saw them here, I saw them there. They're turning here, they're turning there," Scanel said.

With Scanel's help, police caught up with three suspects form Paterson and Fair Lawn – identified by police as Bryan Rivera, Rodny Morel, and Emmanuel Torres. Police said they trailed the suspects through town as they tossed stolen packages, clothes, medication, and electronics out the window.

The pursuit finally ended on railroad tracks on Maywood Avenue. A resident shot video of the arrests in his backyard.

"I'd like to thank the residents for participating and being involved, and contacting us when they saw something that was going on," said Maywood police Detective Matthew Parodi. "And I'm glad that we apprehended these three individuals."

Police said the suspects only got away with cookie dough on Thoma Avenue. One woman who asked not to be identified said the suspects took a package of clothes off her porch, but then threw it back.

"It's nice that the neighbors look out for you," the woman said.

"Don't mess with Maywood," added Keily.