On Monday, August 23^rd. at 9:21 p.m., police responded to Woodstone Drive on a report of Hit & Run motor vehicle crash.  A subsequent investigation revealed that one of the involved vehicles had been backing up when it struck a second vehicle and then left the scene of the crash.  The owner of the second vehicle was able to record the license plate of the Hit & Run vehicle and police subsequently identified the operator as Mona F. Guirguis, 42, of Kearny.  Guirguis was cited for leaving the scene and failing to report a motor vehicle crash.  No injuries were reported and the involved vehicles sustained reportable property damage.  Ptl. Dominick Buscio was the investigating officer.

 

****************************************

            On Tuesday, August 24^th., a Township man reported the theft of his bicycle.  The victim reported that some unknown person(s) had stolen his purple Jamis Aurora Touring Bike from the CVS Pharmacy parking lot at 387 Pompton Avenue sometime between the hours of 1:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.  The value of the stolen property was estimated at $199.00.   

 

*****************************************

            On Tuesday, August 24^th. at 4:00 p.m., police investigated the theft of landscaping equipment from a landscaper working on Vincent Road.  The victim reported that while working on Vincent Road, he observed a white male operating a newer model green compact car stop and remove a weed-whacker from his parked trailer.  The victim stated that the man put the weed-whacker in his vehicle and drove away before he could stop him.  A search of the area for the suspect and vehicle were negative.  The stolen weed-whacker was described as a red Red Max brand with valued at $250.00.   

 

*****************************************

            On Wednesday, August 25^th. at 4:04 a.m., police received a 9-1-1 report of an erratic driver operating on Pompton Avenue.  Ptl. Eileen O’Toole located the described vehicle and initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing additional erratic operation.  As the officer attempted to secure the operator’s credentials, she detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the man’s breath and also observed an open bottle of brandy in the vehicle.  Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 26 year-old operator, Eliga R. Johnson Jr. of Newark, on a charge of driving while intoxicated.  A subsequent check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer revealed that Johnson was also wanted on an outstanding criminal warrant issued by the Virginia Beach, Virginia Police.  The defendant was processed on all charges and later transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, pending extradition to Virginia.

 

*****************************************

            On Wednesday, August 25^th., a Pilgrim Court resident reported an incident of criminal mischief to property.  The victim reported that sometime during the overnight hours, some unknown person(s) damaged the victim’s mailbox at its base.  The mailbox, valued at $100.00, was found on the lawn of a neighboring home.

 

****************************************

            On Wednesday, August 25^th. at 1:11 p.m., police responded to the CVS Pharmacy located at 387 Pompton Avenue on a report of a disturbance in the store.  Upon arrival, officers located the two involved parties and subsequently determined that an argument had stemmed from a road rage incident that previously occurred on Pompton Avenue near Stevens Avenue.  One of the involved parties had apparently observed the other commit a motor vehicle violation and followed him into the CVS parking lot where he engaged him in a verbal confrontation.  Officers were able to calm the situation and both parties were advised of the complaint procedure should they wish to pursue charges.

 

****************************************

            On Friday, August 27^th. at 9:57 p.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio stopped to investigate a vehicle parked on Mills Reservation property after the posted curfew.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the detention of the two juvenile occupants after they were found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia.  The juveniles, a 17 year-old North Caldwell boy and a 15 year-old Fairfield boy, were processed at police headquarters and released to the custody of their guardians pending Juvenile Court proceedings.

 

****************************************

            On Sunday, August 29^th. at 1:58 p.m., police received a 9-1-1 report of an erratic driver operating south on Pompton Avenue.  The caller reported that the vehicle occupants appeared to be consuming alcoholic beverages and had thrown a bottle out of the vehicle.  Police subsequently located and stopped the involved vehicle.  Following an investigation the 22 year-old vehicle operator, Rafia S. Ansari of Hartford, CT, was cited for possessing and consuming an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle, along with throwing debris from the vehicle.  The defendant was issued summonses for the violations and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.  Ptl. Michael Tower and Lt. Joseph Cirasa were the investigating officers.

  

***************************************

On Monday, August 30^th. at 4:08 a.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing a speeding vehicle being operated in an erratic manner.  As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the man’s breath, along with other signs of impairment.  Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 47 year-old operator, George Tsimpedes of Clifton, on a charge of driving while intoxicated.  The defendant was processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

           

*****************************************

            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.

 

*********************************************

All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 

*********************************************

 

August 30, 2010