The Verona Police Department logged a total of 336 assignments during the week of April 23– 29, 2017. Responses included the following:
8 burglar alarms (6 residential, 2 commercial)
29 Rescue Squad dispatches
8 Fire Department dispatches
11 motor vehicle crash scenes
4 frauds
5 arrests
47 motor vehicle stops that resulted in 92 traffic summonses being issued and 40 warning notices
being issued.
April 23, 2017
7:42 PM: Officer Chris Scheper conducted a motor vehicle stop on Bloomfield Avenue after an alert from the automatic License Plate Reader. Upon speaking with the operator, the officer detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Upon looking into the back seat of the vehicle, the officer observed a clear plastic bag containing marijuana lying on the seat. The operator, Harris Dawood and passenger Kenyahta Wellington both of Dix Hills, New York, were placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. After processing, Dawood and Wellington were issued summonses and released.
April 24, 2017
7:58 AM: Officer Ed Ruff took a report of harassment from a Cumberland Avenue resident. The resident reported that her daughter has been a victim of cyber harassment. She stated that her daughter’s boyfriend was contacted via Instagram requesting him to send nude photos of her daughter to them. The boyfriend denied the request and then was threatened by the requestor.
8:21 AM: Officer Michael Barone responded to a Bloomfield Avenue business on a report of a larceny. An employee reported that sometime over the weekend, four tires with rims were removed from a vehicle parked in the parking lot. The value of the tires and rims is between $7,000 and $10,000.
10:41 AM: Officer Michael Barone responded to a South Prospect Street residence on a report of two dogs fighting. The officer was able to separate the two dogs using his OC spray. Both dogs were injured and transported to the Animal Emergency clinic in Fairfield by Montclair Animal Control. The owner of the dogs was issued a summons for not having a license for the dogs.
3:38 PM: Lt. Paul Watkins took a report of an unwanted person at Verona High School. School employees reported that a former student arrived at the school to walk home with a friend. The staff believed her to be under the influence of marijuana and when questioned, she walked away from the school. Officers checked the area for the subject with negative results. The subject’s mother was advised of the incident.
April 25, 2017
11:29 AM: Officer Brendan Huber took a report of a larceny from a Bloomfield Avenue business. The business owner reported that a male entered the store and took two iPhone 7’s and left the store while he was busy helping another customer. The value of the phones is $1720.
1:23 PM: Officer Brendan Huber responded to the Verona Library along with the Verona Rescue Squad on a report of a person who fell. After treatment for a head injury, the victim was transported to Mountainside Hospital.
2:31 PM: Officer Ed Ruff was flagged down on Depot Street by a male who reported that several days before, when he had parked his vehicle on Depot Street, the owner of a Black Landrover accused him of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. The owner of the Land Rover became confrontational; however there was no damage to either vehicle and no action was taken. On the date the report was taken, the reporting person noticed his windshield wiper was bent and there was a dent in his driver side door. The value of the damage is unknown at this time.
4:52 PM: Officer Justin Nielsen conducted a motor vehicle stop on Grove Avenue for an observed violation. While checking the operators’ credentials, an active warrant was located from the Secaucus Municipal Court. The operator, Leonard Slater of West Orange, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. After processing, Slater posted bail and was released.
April 26, 2017
5:58 AM: Officer Robert Maguire conducted a motor vehicle stop on Bloomfield Avenue after a random check of the license plate showed an active warrant for the vehicle owner. After checking the operators, identity active warrants were confirmed from the Newark and Verona Municipal Courts. The operator, Alex Bartusiavicius of Avenel, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. After processing, Bartusiavicius posted bail and was
released.
10:58 AM: Officer Giovanni DeSomma took a report of a fraud that occurred at a Pompton Avenue business. The business owner reported that a former employee signed a patient’s check and deposited it into her own bank account.
11:57 AM: Officer Brendan Huber conducted a motor vehicle stop on Fairview Avenue after an alert from the Automatic License Plate reader revealed the vehicle had a suspended registration. After checking the operator credentials and confirming the suspended registration, the vehicle was impounded and towed from the scene. The operator was provided with transportation to her destination.
6:33 PM: Officer Brian McMahon took a report of a dispute at a Claremont Avenue residence. The dispute was between the homeowner and a sub-contractor. The homeowner was unaware that any sub-contractors had been hired, further advising that the subcontractor arrived today and was asking for payment. The homeowner then asked the subcontractor to leave the property. All parties were advised of complaint procedures.
7:43 PM: Officer Stephanie Colon assisted an elderly male who arrived at police headquarters asking for directions to Newark. The male appeared slightly confused but was able to provide his name, address and his daughter’s name. Upon checking with Newark Police, it was discovered that the male had recently been reported missing. Officers were able to make contact with his daughter and she arrived at police headquarters to pick him up.
April 27, 2017
9:40 AM: Officer Brendan Huber took a report of a fraud from a Bloomfield resident. The resident stated that she received a phone call from an unknown individual who stated that her brother was being held in the trunk of a car in Orange, and that she needed to go to Wells Fargo bank, withdraw $5000 and go to the nearest CVS and await further instruction. Officers were able to make contact with the brother and determine that he was at home and not in any danger.
April 28, 2017
11:52 AM: Officer Giovanni DeSomma took a report of a fraud from an Elmwood Road resident. The resident reported receiving a call from Apple regarding a purchase. The resident advised them he did not make a purchase and the order was canceled. The resident also canceled his credit card. He was provided with identity theft information.
12:08 PM: Officer Ed Ruff took a report of a suspicious person from a Rockland Terrace resident. The resident stated that a black male approached her and stated he was there to do a home inspection. The resident advised him that she had no inspections scheduled, and he returned to his vehicle, which was a short distance down the street. A short time later, the same male returned and stated he was from a bank and mortgage company and had a work order. He then attempted to obtain information about the previous resident. The resident stated she was not interested in any services and the male left the area.
12:36 PM: Officer Ed Ruff took a report of a fraud from a Linn Drive resident. The resident reported that two credit cards arrived today at his mother’s residence with a name that he was not familiar with. The resident was provided with identity theft information.
1:38 PM: Officer Giovanni DeSomma responded along with the Verona Rescue Squad to a report of an injured person on Cumberland Avenue. After treatment for a laceration to his hand, the victim was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital.
11:36 PM: Officer Heriberto Carattini responded to a report of trespassers at the Montclair Golf Club. Security personnel reported observing a large group of juveniles run from the golf course and onto Birdseye Glen. The juveniles left behind numerous empty alcoholic beverage containers. The area was checked for the juveniles with negative results.
April 29, 2017
3:56 PM: Officer Chris Scheper conducted a motor vehicle stop on Mt. Prospect Avenue for an observed violation. Upon checking the operator’s credentials, a warrant from the Jersey City Municipal Court was located. The operator, Najee Conley was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. After processing, Conley posted bail and was released.
7:36 PM: Officer Chris Scheper responded along with the Verona Fire Department to a reported garbage can fire in the backyard of a Martin Road residence. A neighbor was able to extinguish the fire. The fire department confirmed that the fire was out, and there does not appear to be any damage to the residence from the fire.
Any individual named in these reports is presumed innocent until a decision is rendered by the courts.
MyVeronaNJ.com updates police blotter reports with the disposition of the case upon request and with submission of documentary proof. We do not remove stories or delete names based on an expungement.
