Burglars and “Curiosity Seekers” Trespass at Essex County Hospital Center
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by Vacant NJ
Burglars and “Curiosity Seekers” Trespass at Essex County Hospital Center
Thieves target copper pipes and other scrap metals. Curious trespassers seek the supernatural.
By Eric Goodman Email the author July 6, 2012
Every so often, Cedar Grove police get calls concerning suspicious cars parked at the old Essex County Hospital Center on Fairview Avenue.
In the most recent incident on Sunday, June 24, Cedar Grove police arrested 36-year-old Jeffrey S. Devoe of Orange after stopping to investigate a car parked on Skytop Road. He was arrested and turned over to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, where he was charged with burglary, trespassing and possession of burglary tools.
According to the Essex County Sheriff Department, this is the second burglary this year at the old hospital, with three similar incidents occurring in 2011. The thieves are targeting copper piping and other scrap metals left in the old buildings.
“There are two types of people that go there,” said Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet. “The curiosity seekers and those intent on committing crimes such as stealing some of the copper and other scrap metals.”
“We are patrolling the area and we are on the lookout for any unusual activity, suspicious vehicles and suspicious persons,” he said.
The old Essex County Hospital Center has been featured in “Weird New Jersey” and different ghost-hunting television programs. The show maintains ghosts of former patients still roam the halls, piquing the interest of teens and other “curiosity seekers.”
The “Weird New Jersey” website includes a public service announcement saying, “"Please be advised that the Essex County Sheriff's Office will continue to conduct plainclothes surveillance operations at the county's old hospital center in Cedar Grove. Please take particular note that persons found on hospital center grounds will be arrested and prosecuted. We ask that Weird NJ prominently post message to all website patrons. Thank you, Kevin Lynch, Public Information Officer, Essex County Sheriff's Office."
According to Vanderstreet, there have been more people poking around the site out of curiosity than thieves removing scrap metals. Trespassers, usually juveniles, are chased away or if found inside the building, are arrested, said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.
“We have increased the amount of patrols and we work very closely with Cedar Grove and Verona Police Departments,” Fontoura said. “With increased patrols and the diligence of Cedar Grove, Verona and ourselves, we keep trespassers at a minimum.”
Suspicious activity can be reported to the Cedar Grove Police Department at (973) 239-4100.
Original Article link: verona.patch.com/articles/burglars-and-c...center#photo-5178744
Thieves target copper pipes and other scrap metals. Curious trespassers seek the supernatural.
By Eric Goodman Email the author July 6, 2012
Every so often, Cedar Grove police get calls concerning suspicious cars parked at the old Essex County Hospital Center on Fairview Avenue.
In the most recent incident on Sunday, June 24, Cedar Grove police arrested 36-year-old Jeffrey S. Devoe of Orange after stopping to investigate a car parked on Skytop Road. He was arrested and turned over to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, where he was charged with burglary, trespassing and possession of burglary tools.
According to the Essex County Sheriff Department, this is the second burglary this year at the old hospital, with three similar incidents occurring in 2011. The thieves are targeting copper piping and other scrap metals left in the old buildings.
“There are two types of people that go there,” said Cedar Grove Police Chief Richard Vanderstreet. “The curiosity seekers and those intent on committing crimes such as stealing some of the copper and other scrap metals.”
“We are patrolling the area and we are on the lookout for any unusual activity, suspicious vehicles and suspicious persons,” he said.
The old Essex County Hospital Center has been featured in “Weird New Jersey” and different ghost-hunting television programs. The show maintains ghosts of former patients still roam the halls, piquing the interest of teens and other “curiosity seekers.”
The “Weird New Jersey” website includes a public service announcement saying, “"Please be advised that the Essex County Sheriff's Office will continue to conduct plainclothes surveillance operations at the county's old hospital center in Cedar Grove. Please take particular note that persons found on hospital center grounds will be arrested and prosecuted. We ask that Weird NJ prominently post message to all website patrons. Thank you, Kevin Lynch, Public Information Officer, Essex County Sheriff's Office."
According to Vanderstreet, there have been more people poking around the site out of curiosity than thieves removing scrap metals. Trespassers, usually juveniles, are chased away or if found inside the building, are arrested, said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.
“We have increased the amount of patrols and we work very closely with Cedar Grove and Verona Police Departments,” Fontoura said. “With increased patrols and the diligence of Cedar Grove, Verona and ourselves, we keep trespassers at a minimum.”
Suspicious activity can be reported to the Cedar Grove Police Department at (973) 239-4100.
Original Article link: verona.patch.com/articles/burglars-and-c...center#photo-5178744
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