Home Burglaries, Fraud, DWI Arrest Reported In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A DWI arrest, home burglary, criminal mischief, fraud were among the incidents reported in Basking Ridge during the month of February.

During the above timeframe, BTPD officers responded to 23 motor vehicles crashes. There were eight injuries reported and nine motor vehicle summonses issued.

On Jan.29: Officers responded to a report of criminal mischief on Patriot Hill Drive. The resident
reported their 2022 Ford Explorer was damaged while parked in the visitor parking lot. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Jan. 30: Officers responded to a report of criminal mischief on Whittingham Road. The victim
reported a window of their 2011 Ford Fusion was shattered while parked in their driveway overnight. The victim had no property stolen and did not know who committed the damage. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Jan. 31: Officers responded to a residence on E. Lewis Street for a report of theft by deception.
The victim reported they were contacted by PSE&G and told their payment was past due. The caller
instructed the victim to make payment at a 7-11 via a barcode that the caller texted to the victim. The victim made payment via the barcode at a 7-11 and then realized it was a scam. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 6: A resident on Aspen Drive reported a theft to BTPD. The victim reported several thousand dollars in jewelry was recently stolen from the residence. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 6: Officers responded to a residence on Byron Drive for a report of an attempted burglary to a garage door. The victim reported they discovered damage to the door that was consistent with forced entry. The victim did not report any property stolen. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 8 at around 3:11 a.m.: Officer Tyler Widitz saw a suspicious vehicle on S. Finley Avenue near Colonial Drive. The vehicle, a 2020 Kia Sportage, was stopped in the lane of travel and was possibly canvassing the area to commit a residential burglary and/or steal a motor vehicle. When
Officer Widitz got behind the vehicle, it took off at a high rate of speed and drove erratically toward Rt. 78. Officer Widitz tried to stop the vehicle using emergency lights and siren but the vehicle eluded him. Attempts to stop the vehicle were terminated for motorist and officer safety. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 8 at around 1:19 p.m.: Officers and the Liberty Corner Fire Company responded to 3 West restaurant for a reported oven fire. The fire was extinguished by staff prior to patrol and fire company arrival. The fire scene was turned over to the LCFC, Township Fire Inspector, and Township Health Department.

On Feb. 10 at around 10:30 a.m.: Officers responded to the Walgreen’s located in the Highland Village Center for a motor vehicle crash into the building. Upon arrival, officers found a 2019 Lincoln Navigator had crashed head-on into the west side of the building causing damage to the exterior. Preliminary investigation revealed the driver, a resident of Bedminster, may have stepped onto the gas instead of the brake and then struck the building. No injuries were reported, the vehicle was towed, and the Bernards Township Building Inspector responded to assess the damage.

On Feb. 10: Officers responded to a residence on Paisley Lane for a reported package theft. The victim reported two packages were stolen between Feb. 5 and Feb. 9. The approximate value of the stolen packages was $200. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 13: Bernards Township DPW reported two separate incidents of vehicles driving on the fields at Southard Park and Pleasant Valley Park during the snowstorm. DPW workers discovered the tire tracks on fields while plowing the parking lots. DPW is evaluating the extent of damage and the cases are under investigation by the Detective Bureau and Patrol Division. BTPD reminds residents that driving on park grounds is strictly prohibited.

On Feb. 15: Bernards Township DPW reported graffiti and criminal mischief to a light post at the Bernards Township Library. It is believed the damage occurred sometime the previous day. This incident is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 16: Officers and detectives responded to a residence on Grist Mill Drive for a reported residential burglary. Someone forced entry into the residence and targeted bedrooms for valuables. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 16: Kirolas Wadid, of Bayonne, was arrested by Officer Tim Polizzi during a motor vehicle
stop. Wadid was driving a 2019 Lexus and was stopped for a moving violation. During the stop, Polizzi discovered Wadid was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended NJ driver’s license and had an active Bernards Township Municipal Court traffic warrant for failure to appear. Wadid was
processed on the active warrant and released pending a new court date. Wadid was also issued a motor vehicle summons for driving while suspended.

On Feb. 17: Cheryl Iannaccone of Bridgewater, was arrested by Officer William Krajicek for driving while intoxicated. Krajicek saw Iannaccone driving a 2024 Alfa Romeo below the posted speed limit on Mt. Airy Road. Krajicek conducted a motor vehicle stop and administered field sobriety tests to Iannaccone. Iannaccone was arrested and taken back to BTPD headquarters for processing. Iannaccone was later released to a responsible party and issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.

On Feb. 19 at around 3:40 a.m.: Officers responded to Warren Eye Care located in the Riverwalk Shopping Center for a burglar alarm. Upon arrival officers found a front store window shattered. Officers checked the interior of the store and surrounding area for any suspects with negative results. The store owner reported no property stolen. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 21: Officers responded to a residence on Patriot Hill Drive for a contractor dispute. The resident reported a home contractor took payment for home improvements and did not complete any work. The resident reported hiring the contractor through a social media ad. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 22: A resident of English Place reported an employment scam to BTPD. The victim believed they were hired by Haagen Dazs to display a company sticker on their vehicle. The victim was sent an initial check to cover their first week’s cost. The suspect then asked the victim to send $950 of that check to a specific handle on a cash app. The victim complied and then was later notified the initial check was fraudulent causing a loss to their bank account. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 23 at around 10:30 p.m.: Officer Dustin Lopez was conducting a property check at the
Martinsville Exxon. Lopez saw a vehicle with an equipment violation and the register owner had an active NCIC warrant out of Warren. The driver, Clayton O’Brien of Warren, was arrested on the outstanding warrant. O’Brien was turned over to Warren Police Department.

On Feb. 24 at around 3:23 a.m.: A resident of Sun Road called 911 to report a person in their driveway. The resident described the individual as wearing dark clothes and a mask. The individual was scared away by a motion sensor light in the driveway and fled on foot toward King George Road. This case is under investigation by the Patrol Division and Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 26: A resident of Canoe Brook Lane reported they were a victim of theft by deception and
identity theft. The victim reported they were contacted by someone posing as a Verizon Wireless
employee and they gave access to their phone. Shortly after, it was determined this was a scam. An
Apple credit card was opened in the victim’s name and $8,500 in fraudulent charges were made.
This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 26 at around 5:38 p.m.: Cpl. Anthony Severino, Officer Timothy Polizzi, Officer Joshua Filipovits, and Officer Tyler Widitz responded to a 911 call at the Courtyard Marriott for a disorderly person. Upon arrival, hotel employees reported William A. Cuffe, of Park Ridge, was harassing employees and patrons while at the bar. Cuffe was arrested by Filipovits and was taken to BTPD HQ for processing. Cuffe was released pending a municipal court appearance.

On Feb. 28: A resident of Lake Road reported a package theft from their mailbox. Additional
investigation revealed two other residents had packages stolen from their mailboxes on or about
Feb. 20. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On Feb. 28 at around 4 p.m.: Officer Olivia Strama responded to Old Coach Road for a solicitor
complaint. Strama made contact with Brittany Crepeau, of Kenilworth, and Alfred Crawford,
of Belleville, who were soliciting for Renewal by Anderson. Strama determined Crepeau and
Crawford were soliciting without a permit and issued ordinances for the violation.

On Feb. 28 at around 6:40 p.m.: Officers and detectives responded to a residential burglary on Wellington Drive. While on scene, officers determined someone forced entry into the residence and targeted bedrooms. The victims reported various valuables were stolen and this case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

"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 police.

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