Hot Coffee Thrown At Person's Face At Harry Dunham Park: Police

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — An assault was reported at Harry Dunham Park involving hot coffee being thrown at a person's face, according to Bernards Township Police blotter.

On May 13, officers went to Harry Dunham Park for an assault.

Officers learned that two acquaintances got into a verbal disagreement and one of the people threw hot coffee into the other individual's face, said police.

The reporting party was advised of the municipal court complaint signing procedures.

Other Bernards Township Police blotter items from May:

During the month of May, Bernards Township Police Department(BTPD) officers responded to 35 motor vehicles crashes. There were four injuries reported and 15 motor vehicle summonses issued.

Det. Phil Jasina investigated a report of stolen gas from trucks that were being stored at Fellowship Deaconry located on Valley Road. Det. Jasina learned the theft of gas occurred on various dates in the month of April and the suspect was seen driving a blue VW Golf. Det. Jasina was able to identify the suspect and charged Clayton O’Brien of Warren Township. O’Brien was issued a complaint summons for theft of movable property and provided a first appearance date for municipal court.

On May 5 at around 11 a.m.: Patrol officers and detectives responded to the Liberty Corner Exxon located on Church Street for a burglary and theft. Officers discovered someone entered the garage bays and stole miscellaneous tools. The burglary is believed to have occurred sometime overnight from May 4 into May 5. This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On May 6 at around 2:10 p.m.: Patrol officers, Liberty Corner Fire Company(LCFC), and Bernards Township Fire Inspectors went to a motor vehicle fire in the parking lot at 100 Marketplace. Upon arrival, emergency responders found a 2012 Kia Optima fully engulfed. Patrol officers tried to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers but were unable. LCFC extinguished the fire and the fire also spread to an adjacent vehicle which was damaged. This matter is being investigated by the BT Fire Inspectors. No injuries were reported.

On May 7 at around 4:39 p.m.: Patrol officers and detectives responded to a home on Spencer Road for an attempted residential burglary. A vigilant neighbor observed at least two suspicious men wearing masks and yellow construction vests walking around their neighbor’s residence. The neighbor yelled at the suspicious men and called 911. Officers and detectives quickly arrived on scene but the suspects fled before their arrival. Officers checked the residence and found forced entry to a first-floor window but it appeared the suspects did not enter the residence. This
matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau. The BTPD asks residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons or vehicles to the police.

On May 8 at around 10:33 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to a residence on Briar Lane for a residential burglary. Upon arrival, officers discovered forced entry to a second-floor window. Officers secured the residence and canvassed the neighborhood for any information. Detectives responded to process the residence for any evidence. The unknown suspect(s) stole various items from the residence. This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On May 9 at around 12:15 p.m.: Officer Jose Mojica saw a red Mitsubishi Outlander driving on Mt. Airy Road. Mojica conducted a motor vehicle stop and discovered the driver, Kellie Silva, of Rahway, had several outstanding traffic warrants from Woodbridge and Mountainside Municipal Courts. Mojica placed Silva under arrest for the outstanding warrants and driving while suspended. Silva was able to post bail and was released from custody.

On May 9 at around 1:19 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to Martinsville Exxon located on Martinsville Road for theft of gas. Upon arrival officers learned that a white work van with New York license plates and "GIC Piano Movers" logo on the side received $20 worth of gas without paying. While on scene officers discovered the white van was reported stolen out of Old Bridge on May 8. This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On May 9 at around 3:21 p.m.: Patrol officers and detectives responded to the Environmental Education Center on Lord Stirling Road for burglaries of motor vehicles. Upon arrival, officers discovered three motor vehicles were broken into and various items were stolen. Each vehicle had a window smashed out by the unknown suspect(s). Detectives processed each vehicle for any evidence. This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On May 11 at around 6:21 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to the 7-11 located on Martinsville Road for a report of shoplifting. Upon arrival, officers learned that two Hispanic men tried to steal several items from the store. The suspects were confronted by the employee in the parking lot and left the stolen items. The suspects fled in a white van before the officers' arrival. This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On May 13 at around 4 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to the area of Pitney Court for a solicitor complaint. Upon arrival, Officer Omar Caponpon and Officer Alec McCrea located two men soliciting for "Modern Roofing" without township permits. William Skuba, of Morris Plains, and Joesph Skuba, of Charlestown, West Virginia, were issued township ordinances for soliciting without permits. Both individuals were released from the scene pending a municipal court appearance.

On May 16 at around 2 a.m.: Officer Tyler Widitz saw a white Honda Pilot at the Martinsville Exxon. Widitz checked on the occupants and found one of the occupants, Guilso Alarcon-Perez, of Edison, had an active warrant out of Trenton, for failure to appear. Widitz placed Alarcon-Perez under arrest for the warrant. Trenton Police was contacted and requested Alarcon-Perez be released on his own recognizance pending a new court date.

On May 20 at around 2:53 p.m.: Patrol officers responded to the intersection of Mt. Airy Road and Canterbury Road for a three-vehicle crash. Preliminary investigation indicated that a white 2011 Ford F150 traveling southbound on Mt. Airy Road rear-ended a black 2019 Chevrolet Traverse causing the Traverse to go off the roadway. The Ford F150 then struck a gold 2008 Cadillac Escalade that was stopped at the stop sign on Canterbury Way. Minor injuries were reported and all parties involved refused medical treatment. The driver of the Ford F150, Anthony Astorga, 39, of Bergenfield, was arrested by Officer Tim Polizzi for DWI. Polizzi issued Astorga several motor vehicle summonses for DWI, open container of alcohol in a vehicle, and reckless driving. Astorga was released pending a municipal court date.

On May 21: A township resident reported their silver 2024 Mazda C90 was entered and property was stolen from the vehicle while at Mountain Park on May 20 The victim indicated the vehicle was left unlocked while at the park and several credit cards were used by unknown suspect(s). This matter is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On May 22: Patrol officers responded to the area of Spring Valley Boulevard, in the Spring Ridge section, for multiple reports of criminal mischief. Officers discovered numerous sections of the sidewalk were spray painted with graffiti. It is believed the graffiti most likely occurred overnight. This matter is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the police department.

On May 30: Patrol officers responded to Toca Vez restaurant located on Morristown Road for an
illegal dumping complaint. Upon arrival, officers learned that a red Ford F150 had illegally dumped construction debris into the restaurant’s dumpster. At this time, officers are attempting to identify the owner and occupants of the vehicle.

During May, BTPD received around 13 reports of identity theft and scams with about $18,500 in losses to Bernards Township residents.

"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," said police.

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