BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A stolen vehicle, fraud, theft, and a DWI arrest were all reported in September in Bernards Township, according to the police blotter.
During September, Bernards Township Police officers responded to 29 motor vehicle crashes. There were four injuries reported and seven motor vehicle summonses issued.
On Sept. 1: A resident from Potomac Drive reported their bank account was hacked and $27,000 was removed from the account and sent to an unknown account. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
On Sept. 3: A resident from Bernard Drive reported falling victim to a scam in which they provided their physical credit card to an unknown courier at their home. The victim reported that $127,231.29 in charges were made on the credit card at various Apple stores in New York City. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
On Sept. 7: A resident from Mount Airy Road reported their Mercedes-Benz GLE was stolen from a driveway on Tuxford Terrace. The keys were left inside the vehicle while visiting the residence. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
On Sept. 10: A resident from Cannon Court reported their BMW X5 was stolen from the driveway. The keys were left inside the vehicle. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
On Sept. 13: The Walgreens located in the Hills Shopping Mall reported a shoplifting incident in which an unknown man removed $389.18 of products from the store without paying. On Sept. 17, with the help of the Springfield and Cranford Police Departments, Detective Sergeant Steve Matthews identified Derek Greenridge, 56, of Brooklyn, NY, as the
individual who shoplifted $389.18 worth of items from the Walgreens located in the Hills Shopping Center. Greenridge was mailed a complaint summons with a future court date for the incident.
On Sept. 14: Officer Dean Hogan responded to the Courtyard Marriott for a report of an unresponsive woman who was in the hotel lobby. Hogan found the woman who was conscious and alert. After identifying the woman as Rachel Stofan, 35, of South Amboy, Hogan arrested her for an active Superior Court Warrant from Middlesex County. Rachel was taken to Robert Wood Johnson to be cleared medically before being turned over to the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office.
On Sept. 14: Detective Sergeant Steve Matthews received approval from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office to charge Devin Rosado, 23, of Hemet, CA, with third-degree theft, for his role in obtaining $7,000.88 from the victim's Fidelity Investments account. Rosado was mailed a complaint summons and provided a future court date.
On Sept. 16: Officer Stephanie Corona initiated a motor vehicle stop on I-78 and arrested Daniel Hardina, 41, of Orange, for an active NCIC warrant from the Union County Sheriff's Office for willful nonsupport. Hardina was taken to the Somerset County Jail before being turned over to the Union County Sheriff's Office.
On Sept. 17: Officer Stephanie Corona initiated a motor vehicle stop on Stonehouse Road and arrested Giancarlo Azabache, 26, of Harrison, for driving under the influence. Giancarlo was charged with DWI, refusal to submit to chemical tests, and traffic on marked lanes. Giancarlo was released to the care of a family member and provided a future court date.
On Sept. 18: Officer Aidan Mcardle initiated a motor vehicle stop on King George Road and arrested Kyerre Thompson, 27, of Newark, for an outstanding warrant from Union Township. Union Twp. Police authorized a new court date for Thompson and he was released on his own recognizance.
On Sept. 21: Officer Dean Hogan initiated a motor vehicle stop at the Martinsville Exxon and arrested Corey Santiago, 30, of Roselle Park, for an active warrant out of Branchburg Township. Branchburg Police responded and took custody of Santiago.
On Sept. 24: Bernards Township police officer, along with Warren Township police, found a BMW X3 that was reported stolen out of Marlboro, driving south on Mt. Airy Road. A pursuit of the vehicle ensued, which ended on I-78 east near mile marker 41.4 after the vehicle became inoperable due to the successful use of stop sticks. A passenger in the vehicle Kaleem Blue, 20, of Newark, fled from the vehicle and was quickly apprehended by Sgt. Phil Jasina and Sgt. Mike Yeo. Blue was turned over to Warren Township Police, who took into custody all four occupants of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the occupants of the stolen vehicle committed a motor vehicle burglary at a residence on Hartcourt Lane. In addition to Kaleem Blue, Brandon Brown-Shaw, 24, of East Orange, Alrahman Howard, 18, of Newark, and Shamel Souvenir, 19, of Newark, will be charged with the theft of the property from the motor vehicle burglary.
On Sept. 29: A resident from Roberts Circle reported the theft of around $50,000 in gold coins and jewelry from the home. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.
The Bernard's Township Police would like to continue to remind everyone to report suspicious activity observed by calling 908-766-1122. Please keep vehicles locked, without the keys in them and valuables out of sight. Please confirm all suspicious calls/emails/texts/messages requesting monetary payments with law enforcement or banking officials before sending funds.
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