Man Left Infant In Car Alone, Charged With Child Endangerment In Basking Ridge: Police

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A Branchburg man was arrested for leaving his 15-month-old son in the car alone in Basking Ridge, police said.

On June 9, Syed Zaidi, 50, of Branchburg, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of children after it was discovered he left his 15-month-old son alone in his vehicle for about 40 minutes while visiting Fellowship Village, according to the police blotter.

Atlantic EMS came and checked the infant, who was not showing any signs of heat-related injuries, said police.

Zaidi was placed into the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.

Bernards Township Police blotter for June:

During June, Bernards Township Police officers responded to 21 motor vehicle crashes. There was one injury reported and nine motor vehicle summonses issued.

On June 3: A resident of Raleigh Court reported a bank scam where they lost a total of $548,050. The victim received multiple phone calls from unknown people reporting to be his banking institution and the FBI. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On June 8: Corporal Alec Mcrea and Officer Justin Gladden went to the area of the YMCA on Mt. Airy Road for a report of a suspicious man wearing a winter jacket, ski mask, carrying a book bag and running towards Interstate 287. The man was identified as Edwin Perez, 21, of Bernardsville, and discovered to have active warrants for $750 out of Plainfield, and $1,500 out of Harding Township. Perez was placed under arrest and turned over to the Harding Twp Police Department.

On June 9: A resident of Haas Road reported falling victim to an investment scam where they lost a total of $193,000. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On June 12: A resident from Dyckman Place reported falling victim to a phone scam where they provided $25,000 to a courier who transported the money to the unknown scammer. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On June 13: Patrol officers responded to Mountain Park for a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. The passenger side front window was punched, and several items were removed from the vehicle including $1,000 in cash, $3,000 in insurance checks, and a prescription pad. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On June 15: Officer Tyler Widitz investigated a report on an ex-employee of the Stop and Shop who was removing items, including Enfamil, from the store without paying for them while they worked their shift. Widitz issued a summons to Antwan Laberth, 39, of Irvington, for shoplifting the items.

On June 16: Officer Dean Hogan initiated a motor vehicle stop and arrested Bryan Wartman, 29, of Andover, for an outstanding traffic warrant for $1,250 out of Sparta Municipal Court. Wartman was able to post the 10 percent option of the cash bail and was released pending a new court date.

On June 20: A resident from Haas Road reported a check they sent through the mail was intercepted and altered to be paid to an unknown individual. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On June 23: A resident of Deerfield Court reported a cryptocurrency scam where they were conned into depositing $19,000 cash into a crypto machine. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On June 25: Corporal Slawomir Zolnierowski arrested Edet Voltaire, 38, of East Orange, for hindering own detention after Edet provided a fraudulent NJ driver’s license. Edet was also discovered to have nine warrants from multiple jurisdictions for his arrest. Edet was issued multiple motor vehicle summonses in addition to the hindering charge; he was released on his recognizance after being provided with new court dates for the warrants.

On June 28: Corporal Alec McCrea and Officer Justin Gladden arrested Julio Cesar Erazo Gonzalez, 36, of Chambersburg, PA during a traffic stop after it was discovered he had an outstanding ACS warrant from Manalapan Township. Gonzalez was able to post the 10 percent minimum requirement for the warrant and was given a new court date and 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," said police.

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