TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON — Four people, including a juvenile, have been charged in connection with a Dec. 31, 2025 residential burglary in which masked suspects entered a Julia Court home while a resident was inside, according to township police.
Police said the incident was reported at about 4:50 a.m. Dec. 31. Investigators said entry was made through a rear window that was forced open.
According to police, one masked suspect entered the home and appeared to be looking for car keys, but left after hearing the homeowner. Police said the suspect exited through the same window. Three masked suspects were allegedly involved and were last seen getting into a dark-colored four-door sedan headed toward Linwood Avenue.
The township police Detective Bureau later identified a related incident the same morning in Leonia, where a Range Rover was stolen from a residence. Similar incidents involving a dark-colored four-door sedan were also reported in Nutley and Wayne.
Police said Leonia police obtained automatic license plate reader information that led investigators to a New Jersey plate. Township detectives then used that information, along with the incident locations, to obtain communications data warrants.
According to police, analysis of cellular tower records identified five phone numbers that were present at the incidents in Washington Township, Leonia, Nutley and Wayne. Investigators also determined that Clifton police had previously apprehended three individuals in connection with a similar incident.
Through additional warrants, court-authorized orders and forensic analysis of cellular devices recovered during the investigation, township detectives identified four individuals as responsible for the burglary and attempted vehicle theft, police said.
Charged were:
Alquadir Hester, of Newark
Conspiracy to commit residential burglary, second degree; residential burglary, second degree; criminal attempt to commit motor vehicle theft, second degree; receiving stolen property, second degree; and employing a juvenile to commit criminal offenses, third degree.
Ameer Hester-Hall, of Newark
Conspiracy to commit residential burglary, second degree; residential burglary, second degree; criminal attempt to commit motor vehicle theft, second degree; receiving stolen property, second degree; and employing a juvenile to commit criminal offenses, third degree.
Dupree Turner, of East Orange
Conspiracy to commit residential burglary, second degree; residential burglary, second degree; criminal attempt to commit motor vehicle theft, second degree; and employing a juvenile to commit criminal offenses, third degree.
A juvenile, whose name was withheld
Conspiracy to commit residential burglary, second degree; residential burglary, second degree; criminal attempt to commit motor vehicle theft, second degree; receiving stolen property, second degree; and employing a juvenile to commit criminal offenses, third degree.
Police reminded residents to secure their homes and lock their vehicles. The department also warned that suspects in vehicle theft cases have been known to use online mapping tools, including street-view features, to identify potential targets.
Criminal charges are accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.