On Tuesday, December 30^th., police investigated a report of an attempted fraud involving a fraudulent clearinghouse sweepstakes scam.  The victim reported receiving a telephone call from a man advising her that she had won a $350,000.00 clearinghouse sweepstakes.  The caller advised the woman that a representative would come to her house with a check.  Upon receiving the check, the victim was instructed to send $385.00 via Western Union to an address in Jamaica.  Fearing that the scheme may be fraudulent, the victim contacted her son, who advised the victim to report the incident to the police.  Further investigation revealed that the call was an attempt to defraud the victim.  The matter was referred to the detective bureau for follow-up investigation.  *  Residents are advised to be wary of lottery/sweepstakes scams, promotional scams, or any other scheme involving promises of free money.  In addition, residents should never give out personal information over the phone, by mail, or over the Internet, unless they have initiated the contact.  

 

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            On Friday, January 2^nd. at 12:02 a.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator on charges that she was operating an uninsured vehicle while her NY driving and registration privileges were under suspension.  The 25 year-old defendant, Nerline Hyppolite of West Orange, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

 

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            On Friday, January 2^nd. at 8:09 p.m., police responded to the Pompton Avenue Burger King on a report of a fight in progress.  Upon arrival, police located a number of juveniles that had been involved in an altercation in the restaurant.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the detention of a 15 year-old New Providence juvenile on an assault charge.  During the altercation, the detained juvenile had apparently thrown a large rubber cone, striking a 15 year-old Township juvenile in the back of his head, leaving him with a welt behind his ear.  The juvenile defendant was processed on an assault charge at police headquarters and released to his guardian pending Juvenile Court proceedings.  The injured juvenile was treated by the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad and released to the care of his guardian.  Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn was the investigating officer.

     

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            On Friday, January 2^nd. at 11:07 p.m., police arrested an East Orange man on charges that he was operating an unregistered, uninsured motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension.  The 59 year-old defendant, Abubakr Salaam, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.  The defendant’s vehicle, a 1994 Toyota Tercel, was impounded.  Ptl. Joseph Russomanno was the arresting officer.

 

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            On Saturday, January 3^rd. at 2:35 a.m., Ptl. Jose Rodriguez initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation.  A subsequent check of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) computer revealed that the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension.  The 20 year-old operator, Nicollette C. Ramos of Bloomfield, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

 

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            On Saturday, January 3^rd. at 12:33 p.m., Sgt. Frank Pumphrey initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator after he was found to be wanted on outstanding traffic warrants issued by the Cedar Grove Court.  The 59 year-old defendant, Louis Recchia of Cedar Grove, was additionally charged with operating an unregistered and uninsured motor vehicle.  Recchia was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.  The defendant’s vehicle, a 1989 Chevy Pick-up, was impounded.

 

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            Cedar Grove Police Department requests that the public report all suspicious activity observed, as it occurs.  The police department telephone number is 973-239-4100 and in case of emergency 9-1-1.  All reports are investigated and all assistance is appreciated.

 

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All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 

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January 5, 2009