Car Stolen With Keys left Inside In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A stolen car, email scams, theft, and a suspicious person were reported in January in Bernards Township.

Bernards Township Police blotter for January:

During the above timeframe, Bernards Township Police Officers responded to 30 motor vehicle crashes. There were five injuries reported and 16 motor vehicle summonses issued.

On Jan. 2: Joao Cateano, 26, of Danbury, CT, was arrested by patrol officers after he crashed a vehicle he was operating at around 1:44 a.m. into a parking garage door, after already crashing through a security checkpoint at Verizon Headquarters at 295 N Maple Ave., Basking Ridge. Investigation revealed the Black Audi Q5 Cateano operated was stolen from a home in Rye, NY. Cateano was charged with receiving a stolen vehicle and criminal trespass. Cateano was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a future court date.

On Jan. 6: Victory Healthcare Communications, located in 100 Market Place, reported a business e-mail scam that compromised their payroll account for an employee. The reported loss for the business is $8,200. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On Jan. 9: A resident from Cedar Creek Drive reported a burglary from a motor vehicle at the home. Security footage showed two unidentified men trying to enter several vehicles parked in the driveway. Entry was made into one of the vehicles, but no items of value were taken. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On Jan. 10: A resident from Tall Timber Lane reported that their 2021 Mercedes AG was stolen from the driveway. Keys were left inside the vehicle, which was taken at around 2:27 p.m. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On Jan. 17: Patrol officers responded to a home on Smithfield Court for a non-family dispute. After contacting the parties involved, Officer Dean Hogan arrested Justin R. Young, 26, of Plainfield, after it was determined he had five outstanding ATS Warrants from Piscataway Township, South Plainfield, Kenilworth Borough, and Greenbrook Township. Young was turned over to Green Brook Township police officers, who took him to the Somerset County Jail.

On Jan. 22: A resident from Privet Way reported an AT&T and T-Mobile cell phone scam, in which their credit card information became compromised after using WhatsApp to communicate with the scammers. The scammers advised they would send a free phone and watch if the victim sent back the six phones they requested from AT&T. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On Jan. 26: A member of the YMCA located on Mt Airy Road reported their Dior wallet was stolen from a locker in the men’s locker room. The victim placed the wallet in an unlocked locker. The wallet is valued at $400. All the victims’ personal items were left, and only the wallet and $2 in cash were taken. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On Jan. 27: A resident from S Maple Avenue reported falling victim to a scam in which they sent around $15,360 to the scammer through various means. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident and was able to help the victim stop a UPS package with $10,000 in cash that was en route to the scammer in Florida. The Detective Bureau is trying to get back the remaining funds that were transferred through Western Union and Zelle.

On Jan. 30: Patrol officers responded to 100 Marketplace for a report of a suspicious man who was in a stairwell of the parking garage. Officer Dean Hogan found the man exiting the 7-Eleven and walking back towards 100 Marketplace. After making contact, the man was identified as Andrew G Brookins, 34, of Irvington, and was arrested after discovering he had two outstanding ATS warrants from Hardyston and Union Township. Both municipalities provided new court dates for Brookins, and he was released on his own recognizance.

"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," according to the police department.

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