THEFTS, BURGLARY AND SHOPLIFTING LEAD POLICE WEEK

From Maplewood Police today:

May 22, 2017; Package Thefts; There were two reports of package thefts, one on Tiffany Pl and one on Yale St.

May 23, 2017; Theft from Auto; Sometime during the overnight hours, a handicap placard was removed from an unsecured vehicle on East Cedar Ln.

May 25, 2017; Burglary; During the morning hours, entry was forced to a home on Fernwood Rd.  A game console was reportedly stolen.

May 25, 2017; Shoplifting; At approximately 9:20 AM a male shoplifted multiple items from the Walgreens on Springfield Ave.  A male fitting the description provided by employees was stopped a short distance away.  The male later identified as twenty-one year old Rickell Polen of Irvington, was found to be in possession of the stolen items.  He was subsequently arrested and charged with shoplifting.

May 26, 2017; Theft; At approximately 9:15 PM, an employee of the Extra Supermarket on Irvington Ave had his phone stolen after placing it down on a shelf.

NJ TRANSIT TURNS AWAY DELUCA, COLLUM; BUT THEY VOW TO FIGHT ON TODAY

NJ Transit Executive Director Steven Santoro refused to meet with Mayor Vic Deluca, South Orange President Sheena Collum and a group of other local officials Tuesday when they showed up to demand changes to the planned diversion of Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken this summer.

But Deluca and the others vowed to fight on with plans to attend a state legislative public hearing set for today on the issue in Newark.

You may recall when the transit agency announced that all Midtown Direct trains would go to Hoboken in July and August because of Penn Station improvements, Deluca and Collum penned a joint letter slamming the idea and requested a meeting with the agency. 

That meeting was first set for last Friday, then pushed back to yesterday. But when NJ Transit asked for another postponement to Wednesday, Deluca and Collum would have none of it, vowing to show up at 2 p.m. Tuesday and wait as long as it took for a meeting.

But when they arrived at the NJ Transit headquarters in Newark, along with officials from Millburn and Livingston -- as well as Assemblyman John McKeon and State Senator Richard Codey -- they were turned away.

Several, however, said they planned to attend a state Assembly hearing set for 10 a.m. today at the Smith Public Safety Building, Essex County Government Complex, 60 Nelson Place in Newark.

NJ Transit has said a June 7 meeting is possible.

Deluca also posted this statement on Facebook:

NJ Transit is so off-track. We showed up at 2pm as planned and Transit treated us disrespectfully by refusing to meet. They did not have the guts to come down to speak to us. 

We had former Governor Codey, Assemblyman McKeon and elected officials from Maplewood, South Orange, Millburn, East Orange and Livingston. 

We are not deterred. Wednesday some of us will testify at a Joint State Senate and Assembly Committee. The hearing will be at 10am at the Essex County Public Safety Building.

We will regroup and continue the struggle. Thank you for your support.

In addition, Collum posted a lengthy video on Facebook Live that included comments from Deluca, as well as her own description of the scene. See it below:

ONE WEEK LEFT FOR SPRINGFIELD AVENUE SURVEY

From the Springfield Avenue Partnership:

The Springfield Avenue Partnership is undertaking a new initiative for the branding and marketing of the Springfield Avenue Business District.  As part of this process we are asking the community to take part in a brief survey.

The goal is to gain input from you, our customers, merchants, property owners and neighbors, about your perception and what you value most about Springfield Avenue.  This information will be used to help us position.

Springfield Avenue, build on its strengths and tell the story of Springfield Avenue that will both resonate with you and raise our profile and visibility throughout the area.

The survey is publicly available and will remain open until June 6, 2017.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BKBNV6F 

Any additional comments or questions that you have can be directed to Julie Doran, District Manager of the Springfield Avenue Partnership at districtmanager@springfieldavenue.com.

DELUCA, COLLUM VISIT NJ TRANSIT HQ AS PLANNED TO OPPOSE TRAIN DIVERSION PLAN

Deluca and Collum with others outside NJ Transit in Newark 

As promised, Mayor Vic Deluca joined South Orange Village President Sheena Collum and a handful of other local officials at NJ Transit headquarters in Newark today to challenge plans for a Midtown Direct diversion to Hoboken for most of the summer.

You may recall when the transit agency announced that all Midtown Direct trains would go to Hoboken in July and August because of Penn Station improvements, Deluca and Collum penned a joint letter slamming the idea and requested a meeting with the agency. 

Assemblyman John McKeon, right, with Deluca and Collum

That meeting was first set for last Friday, then pushed back to today. But when NJ Transit asked for another postponement to Wednesday, Deluca and Collum would have none of it, vowing to show up at 2 p.m. today and wait as long as it took for a meeting.

We found them on time at the NJ Transit headquarters ready to plead their case. Also in attendance were Livingston Mayor Shawn R. Klein and Millburn Deputy Mayor Jodi Rosenberg.

Former Gov. Richard Codey, left,

As the group waited for their meeting, Assemblyman John McKeon and State Senator, and former governor, Richard Codey showed up as well ready to support the effort.

We'll let you know what happens.

PODCAST: FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER BILL GAUDELLI ON EDUCATION, HIS BOOK, AND WORDS EVENT TONIGHT

We caught up with former school board member Bill Gaudelli, who remains a top Maplewood educator as a professor at Columbia University Teachers College.

He has also penned a new book, Global Citizenship Education: Everyday Transcendence, and will be at Words Bookstore in Maplewood Village tonight at 7:30 p.m. to discuss it.

We chatted about the book and the need for today's students' to prepare for a global future in areas ranging from world languages to the environment.

Listen below:

NJ TRANSIT DELAYS OF UP TO 30 MINUTES TODAY

Welcome back from the holiday weekend to some more NJ Transit delays.

From NJ Transit:  

May 30, 2017  08:48:41 AM
Trains service in/out of PSNY is subject to up to 30 minute delays due to congestion caused by the speed restriction in place due to ongoing Amtrak track work and disabled LIRR trains.

SCHOOLS DELAYED OPENING TODAY

Reminder that schools have a delayed opening today due to a district-wide faculty training program at Columbia High School this morning.

When this was originally scheduled weeks ago, it was hinted that it would involve some kind of racial bias prevention training that stemmed from a string of incidents weeks ago involving controversial slave auction lesson plans and offensive images found at some schools.

See the specific opening times today for each school today below:

School	Delayed Opening Start Time
Columbia High School	10:00am
Maplewood Middle School	10:15am
South  Orange Middle School	10:15am
Clinton Elementary School	10:05am
Jefferson Elementary School	10:05am
Marshall Elementary School	10:45am
Seth Boyden Elementary School	10:45am
South Mountain – Big School	10:10am
South Mountain - Annex	10:00am
Tuscan Elementary School	10:45am
Montrose Early Childhood Center	11:00am

SOMS STUDENTS REJECTING RYAN PHOTO-OP GET INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION; RAMOS WEIGHS IN

Since a group of 100 South Orange Middle School students declined to be photographed with House Speaker Paul Ryan last week, citing objections to his politics, the group have become worldwide celebrities.

News outlets from The Washington Post to London's Daily Mail to Newsweek and People magazine have told their story.

And late Monday, Superintendent John Ramos weighed in with a letter to parents that seemed to support the students who both posed with Ryan and other who chose not to. 

But his letter also raised some eyebrows and seemed to hint that the attention was overdone, stating: 

It seems that our collective focus needs to be on more substantive issues, such as the proposed budget and various matters that are silently unfolding. 

See the entire letter below:

SOMSD Community,

SOMSD has been in the press over the past few days after Speaker of the House Congressman Paul Ryan posted a picture of himself with a group of South Orange Middle School 8^th grade students who were on a field trip to Washington D.C.

Some students chose to participate in the photo on the steps of the Capitol, and others chose not to participate and waited quietly across the street with an administrator until the photo op concluded.

While we should all respectfully and appropriately acknowledge those in authority, taking a conscientious position about a photo op is within our constitutional right.  We are proud of all of our students, who exercised their rights and chose whether or not to participate for their own individual reasons.

It seems that our collective focus needs to be on more substantive issues, such as the proposed budget and various matters that are silently unfolding.

Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr.

Superintendent

TUTORING AND TECH AT LIBRARY TODAY

Subject Tutoring for Grades 6-12

Tuesday, May 30

3:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Main Library ● Grades 6-12  ● Drop In
Trained volunteer tutors from the Achieve Foundation of South Orange Maplewood Achieve tutors will be available to assist middle school and CHS students on a variety of subjects. Sessions will be held in the TEEN ZONE.

Hilton Math Tutoring for Grades K– 7

Tuesday, May 30

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Hilton Branch ● Grades K-7 ● Drop In
Have questions about your math homework? Come work with Danielle Perrotta, who has years of experience working with the school district’s math system, specializing in working with students in grades K-7.

Create Space – Maplewood Library’s Makerspace is Open!

Tuesday, May 30

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Hilton Branch – Every Tuesday 5:00-8:00 pm, Thursday 5:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday 10-1 pm. Patrons can use Rhino 3D software to build a model, print an object on our 3D printer or use our new color printer or laminator.  There are also Snap Circuits, Squishy Circuits, littleBits and SparkFun kits for the kids. Raspberry Pi single board computers are also available to learn more about computer science.  More information about the Create Space…

Digital Device Clinic

Tuesday, May 30

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Get free one-on-one support for using your e-reader, tablet, smartphone, or other electronic device.  The clinics will take place during the Create Space drop-in hours. Open to adults, teens and children.

SCENES FROM THE MEMORIAL DAY DUCK RACE

COALITION ON RACE OFFERS STINGING ATTACK ON SCHOOL DISTRICT DIVERSITY

At the last school board meeting, the Community Coalition on Race offered a harsh attack on the district's effort to desegregate and provide diversity.

See the entire statement below:

MEMORIAL DAY MEANS PARADE AND DUCK RACES TODAY

Town Hall is closed today for Memorial Day, but the festivities run all morning.

First, the annual parade is on and will kick off on West Parker Avenue near Valley Street at 9 a.m., with marchers going along Valley to Town Hall.

After the parade arrives, the Memorial Day ceremonies will begin and likely end by 11 a.m.

Following the Town Hall events, across Memorial Park, at the branch of the Rahway River the duck races begin, all for a good cause. 

Prizes for the winners of the six heats range from Roman Gourmet and Palmers gift certificates to a PlayStation. See the list HERE, and how to buy your chances HERE.

MAPLEWOOD HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUES TICK SEASON ADVISORY

From Maplewood Health Department
 
Maplewood Health Department Encourages Residents to Enjoy the Outdoors but Beware of Ticks

N.J. has designated May 2017 as Lyme Disease Awareness Month. According to the New Jersey Department of Health Lyme Disease is endemic in NJ with other 4,800 cases reported in 2015, which was the second highest number of cases reported in the U.S. In 2015, Essex County reported 165 Lyme disease cases.   

Recent news coverage indicates that 2017 may see a reportable increase of tickborne diseases, such as Lyme Disease, erlichiosis, rocky mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis and Powassan disease, due to an increase in tick population. 

The Maplewood Health Department provides case investigation and monitoring of suspect or confirmed Lyme disease cases in the township but another important aspect is the prevention of new cases.  As part of a targeted health education campaign, the Maplewood Health Department has chosen one key message to prevent tickborne diseases: “Don’t Take Ticks Home.  Do A Tick Check.” 

These signs (see below) will be posted on the Maplewood entryway up to South Mountain Reservation on Claremont Ave. For anyone who frequents walking in the Reservation or in wooded areas and who live adjacent to the South Mountain Reservation, the Maplewood Health Department advises that residents do a tick check upon leaving the park or spending time in their backyards if they live along the reservation.

 The yellow bars are the areas where people may find ticks: in the nape of the scalp, under the armpit, along the waist, shorts and pants/sock line, in the groin area and behind the knees.

Additionally, beware bare skin. Don’t make it easy for ticks to bite you. Wear long-sleeved tops, long pants, socks and sturdy shoes when tromping through forested areas. Use repellents with DEET on exposed skin and clothing. Stay on paved walking paths and trails and avoid walking among the underbrush or unmarked areas. For more information, go to the Health Department’s Monthly Health Promotion Page: 

http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/index.aspx?nid=572 and look for the article on Ticks.

RECYCLING POSTPONED TO TUESDAY

From the Township:

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, Monday's recycling collection will be postponed until Tuesday, May 30th. Kindly place your recyclable items curbside on Monday evening, so they can be collected on Tuesday morning. 

Remember, recyclables should be placed in a container with a lid, or clear recycling bags, and cardboard boxes should be tied or taped together. This will ensure all recyclables are collected; together, let’s keep Maplewood clean.

Have a happy, healthy, and safe Memorial Day!

14 OPEN HOUSES TODAY

Check out your next home or just see what the market is offering.

Full list HERE.

HALF OF VISITING SOMS STUDENTS REJECT SPEAKER RYAN PHOTO-OP

When a group of South Orange Middle School eighth graders were given a chance to have a picture taken with House Speaker Paul Ryan about half of them declined.

For those youngsters, who were part of a school trip to Washington D.C. on Thursday, Ryan's politics and support for many policies they oppose was enough to remain camera shy. In all, about 100 students rejected the photo offer.

When Ryan posted the image on Instagram, it drew dozens of positive and negative comments. See HERE.

And their act of defiance made New York TV news take notice.

Both WNYW and WABC came to town to tell the story.

See below:

 

DELUCA AND COLLUM BLAST ANOTHER NJ TRANSIT MEETING DELAY; PLAN TO SHOW UP ANYWAY

NJ Transit may have messed with the wrong people when they continued to delay a meeting with Mayor Vic Deluca and his South Orange counterpart, Village President Sheena Collum, over the plan to divert all Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken in July and August.

Within hours of the announced diversion plan this week, Deluca and Collum penned an angry letter demanding a change in the approach and a meeting with officials.

The agency agreed to meet with the duo on Friday. But the state agency delayed it again to Tuesday, citing a need to allow for more participants. Deluca and Collum were fine with that.

But Friday afternoon they got word that the troubled transit agency wanted to push it back again, this time to Wednesday. A letter from the train line cited "extenuating circumstances." (Read it HERE)

That did not sit well with the two towns' top public officials. And they plan to show up on Tuesday anyway.

And from the looks of statements they issued Friday, they will be ready to fight.

Deluca posted on Facebook that "this is BS and unacceptable."

He also sent the following comment to Maplewoodian.com: 

I and my elected colleagues will be at NJ Transit headquarters on Tuesday, May 30th at 2pm to meet with Executive Director Steven Santoro. We are not standing for any further delays in having this meeting. We will be there Tuesday and expect to meet.

Tuesday's meeting was scheduled in good faith after Transit asked to postpone the meeting originally scheduled for Friday, May 26th. It appears this was just a stalling tactic so you could push the meeting back even further into June. This is totally unacceptable and now I question the veracity of the reason for Friday's postponement.

It is shocking but not surprising that Transit is treating us in this disrespectful manner. Sadly, it is all to often similar to the way Transit treats our commuting constituents. We will be there on Tuesday at 2pm and expect to meet with Mr. Santoro. 

Collum, meanwhile, stated: 

This is incredibly offensive. We were told a meeting on Friday (today) at 1pm would occur with the Executive Director of NJ Transit and everyone adjusted their schedules accordingly. Then you requested on behalf of NJ Transit that the meeting be moved to next Tuesday, May 30th.

While we certainly weren’t pleased and saw this as nothing more than a delay tactic, we again, adjusted all of our schedules to accommodate your agency and at the time, I advised you that we would be reaching out to other mayors and officials to attend the “work meeting” with NJ Transit (we had some of our elected officials move scheduled patients around to attend next week). 

Now, on a Friday afternoon of a holiday weekend, you are again postponing a discussion that needs to be occurring now not 2 weeks after we all watched a press conference to learn how our towns were going to be impacted. The “continuing extenuating circumstance" is that NJ Transit and Amtrak prematurely made decisions without any discussion with the elected officials and their communities impacted by these changes which elevate much further than just delays and inconvenience but if not executed properly, pose a tremendous public safety risk to all riders.

It is clear as day that no one over there expected this level of political blowback (although I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t) and now are scrambling for answers. What is the plan? What are we supposed to be telling our constituents? Please don’t thank us for our patience, because we’re anything but patient right now. 

Stay tuned!

MAPLEWOOD POOL OPENS TODAY

The Maplewood Pool opens the 2017 season today! 

See this year's fees and how to join HERE.

Hours are Noon to 6 p.m. today, and on Sunday and Monday as well. 

The pool is open weekends only until the last week of school, June 19, when it opens at 4 p.m., with full hours beginning June 26.

If you have not gotten the new key fob identification tags and/or had a new photo taken, you can do so at the pool or Town Hall. 

Call 973-761-6330 or 973-763-4202 for more information.

PORTION OF PIERSON ROAD CLOSED TODAY

From Maplewood Police:

Pierson Rd. will be closed this afternoon (5/26/17) between Burnet and Salter for road construction

MEET KLEAN APRON AND WOULIBAM: SPRINGFIELD AVENUE'S NEWEST EATERIES

Two new eateries with different menus, and approaches, are up and running on Springfield Avenue.

First, meet Klean Apron, the delivery and take-out spot where Soups and Scoops used to be at 1846 Springfield Avenue, next to The Rack.

Owner Dan Dandino, a 20-year Maplewood resident, serves up a mix of offerings from pulled pork to vegetarian dishes to Swedish meatballs. See the menu and ordering options HERE.

Down the street, at 1878 Springfield Avenue -- the former home to East Wok Chinese food -- you'll find the new Woulibam Restaurant, a new Caribbean cuisine spot that also delivers. No website yet, but you can call in an order at 973-762-1568, or stop in.

Give them both a try and support Springfield Avenue's tastiest.

DELUCA, COLLUM MEETING WITH NJ TRANSIT MOVED TO TUESDAY; MORE OFFICIALS EXPECTED

We reported earlier this week on Mayor Vic Deluca and South Orange Village President Sheena Collum penning an angry letter to NJ Transit and Gov. Chris Christie opposing plans to divert all Midtown Direct trains to Hoboken during July and August due to Penn Station-related repairs.

Deluca

The letter sparked the transit agency to agree to meet with Collum and Deluca today to discuss the matter.

But the meeting has been postponed to Tuesday to allow more local officials and state representatives to be involved. See an updated letter on the meeting plans from the two municipal leaders issued today below:

Elected Officials from Morris & Essex Transit Hubs Express Anger at  Governor Christie, Amtrak and NJ Transit – Meeting Postponed Until May 30

Maplewood and South Orange, NJ (May 26, 2017) Mayors and other elected officials have galvanized together following Governor Chris Christie’s announcement on Tuesday afternoon that a deal was struck with Amtrak relating to needed repairs. The deal provides that the Morris & Essex train line’s Mid-Town Direct service will be suspended for an 8-week period over the summer and diverted to Hoboken where commuters will have the option of PATH trains or ferries.  Significant delays and extended commute times are expected.

“They devised a plan without consulting local officials and commuters and now they are figuring out how to deal with the political blowback,” said Maplewood Mayor Victor De Luca.  “We were prepared for a meeting this Friday with the Executive Director of NJ Transit which has now been delayed, go figure, until next Tuesday.  We will be prepared with our colleagues from other affected communities next week to make the case that Midtown Direct riders should not bear the full brunt of the repairs at Penn Station.”

Mayor De Luca and his counterpart, Village President Sheena Collum of South Orange, wrote a joint letter to Governor Christie and NJ Transit following the announcement here noting, “Train riders from our various communities will have their personal and professional lives disrupted dramatically and the proposed fare discounts will not make up for the missed time with their families and the negative impacts on their business dealings.”

“South Orange is the busiest station on the Morris & Essex Line serving over 4,000 riders a day and I had to learn about these changes that affect my residents by watching a press conference.  No communication and certainly no transparency,” said Collum.  “I’m not disappointed in our meeting being pushed back.  Since the letter Mayor De Luca and I drafted on Wednesday, we’ve managed to partner with Congressman Payne’s office, Senator Codey, Assemblyman McKeon, Assemblywoman Jasey, Essex County Freeholders along with Mayors and elected officials from Orange, Livingston, West Orange, Summit, Morristown, and Millburn.  A few extra days gives us more time to mobilize other elected officials and their respective communities and we look forward to sharing more information with the public after we meet next Tuesday.”

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MEANS SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND A DELAYED OPENING

From the South Orange Maplewood School District:

The district will be closed this Friday May 26^th and on Monday May 29^th for Memorial Day.

In addition, students at all South Orange Maplewood Schools will have a delayed opening on Tuesday, May 30th.  Elementary and middle schools start two hours later than their usually scheduled start times (see schedule below).

All CHS students should report to school at 10:00am.  If your child usually takes a bus to school, the bus will arrive approximately two hours later than the typical pick up time.  Before-care through the YMCA will take place at all elementary schools.

Staff will have a full day on May 30th, which will begin at 8:15am with a faculty meeting at Columbia High School.  More details will be sent to staff directly.

School	Delayed Opening Start Time
Columbia High School	10:00am
Maplewood Middle School	10:15am
South  Orange Middle School	10:15am
Clinton Elementary School	10:05am
Jefferson Elementary School	10:05am
Marshall Elementary School	10:45am
Seth Boyden Elementary School	10:45am
South Mountain – Big School	10:10am
South Mountain - Annex	10:00am
Tuscan Elementary School	10:45am
Montrose Early Childhood Center	11:00am

MAPLEWOOD MAN CHARGED WITH IDENTITY THEFT, FINANCIAL INFO TRAFFICKING

Sejour

From Essex County Prosecutor's Office today:

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Aniol Sejour, 30, of Maplewood with identity theft and trafficking in personal financial information.

According to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Walter J. Dirkin, who is handling the case, it is alleged that Sejour redirected mail from numerous individuals to his personal address. At least 40 credit card and/or debit card accounts in the victims’ names have been identified. He also gained access to checks and passed checks in the names of his victims.

Yesterday he was arrested and charged. The alleged crimes were discovered by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service which opened an investigation because of the number of change of addresses that were directed to his address. The U.S. Post Office also received complaints from residents who said they had not requested a change of address. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation resulted in the arrest of Sejour.

It is alleged that when detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed a search warrant at Sejour’s home they discovered multiple bank books, credit and debit cards, multiple credit card device readers or swipers and handwritten notes containing other personal identifying information.

Sejour has been released from custody and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on June 13. Acting Prosecutor Murray commended Postal Inspector Allcroft for her outstanding work on this case.

SCHOOL DISTRICT LAUNCHES DIVERSE BOOK DRIVE

From South Orange Maplewood Schools:

ALL VOICES, ALL STORIES

Working Together to Make Our Libraries Reflect Our Community

SOMSD, The Parenting Center and the Elementary School PTAs are partnering to expand our school and classroom libraries so that they reflect the rich diversity and backgrounds in our schools and our community. This project was inspired by an initiative of Ms. Stewart’s 1st grade class at Marshall School last year. You can read more about their story here.

Please watch a video about this initiative below:

Please consider donating new and diverse books to SOMSD elementary schools by purchasing books on our wish list at [words] bookstore or 'Amazon wish list.’ Help us create school and classroom libraries that share stories with a wide array of viewpoints, and can be a mirror into each student's experience and a window into the lives of people who may seem different, whether they live next door or across the world. 


All donated books will be sent to the Office of Curriculum & Instruction for processing, tracking of donations, and equitable distribution amongst the elementary schools.

This wish list is just a beginning -- it will continue to grow and change and remain current.  We will happily review suggestions for future additions -- please email cmoore@somsd.k12.nj.us with suggestions or special requests.

Click on link to view our wish list on [words] or 'Amazon'.

VIDEO: ONE THIEF'S PORCH PACKAGE RIP-OFF CAUGHT ON TAPE

Suspected porch package thief caught on video

If anyone needs a reminder about thieves who target packages on front porches, look no further than Yale Street last Friday.

One homeowner, who requested anonymity, revealed his house was hit by a suspect who was apparently seen following a delivery truck. 

The outlaw was caught on video due to the homeowner's Ring security camera. Ring is the service that provides security cameras and other devices, some tied to the doorbell, that allow residents to monitor who approaches their front door.

The homeowner released the video to Maplewoodian.com in an effort to warn other residents. See it below:

"He cased our house (with two cars in the driveway and tons of cars on the street) in broad daylight at 10:13 a.m. on Friday, walking to our front steps with a bike, holding a jacket and a Kings bag hanging on the handle bars," the homeowner said via email. "He then came back at 10:15 a.m. without the bike and just the jacket, put the jacket over our package, picked up the jacket w/package and walked off with it across the parking lot." 

He said he filed a police report on Monday and wants to make sure residents are aware of this approach by thieves, which police have warned about in the past.