Panhandling, DUI Arrests, Car Burglaries Reported In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Driving under the influence arrests, car burglaries, panhandling, theft, and fraud were reported in Basking Ridge in March.

In March, Bernards Township Police Department officers responded to 27 motor vehicle crashes. There were three injuries reported and seven motor vehicle summonses issued.

On March 1: Corporal Slawomir Zolnierowski stopped of a Chevy Silverado Pick-Up truck at the King George Exxon for an obstructed license plate and an expired registration. The driver of the vehicle, Michael R. Hillmann, 42, of Frenchtown, was discovered to have numerous warrants for his arrest out of Ocean, Middlesex, and Burlington Counties, as well as
Millstone and Lebanon Twp. In addition to the warrants, Hillmann was found to have a crack pipe and eight vials of suspected crack cocaine. While conducting their investigation, Hillmann was standing by the outside of a patrol vehicle and, before being placed in handcuffs, tried to run away, put his
vehicle into drive, and drive away. Zolnierowski and Officer Stephanie Corona were able to apprehend Hillmann and place him in handcuffs. Hillmann was charged with possession of crack cocaine, resisting arrest by flight on foot, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hillmann was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing.

On March 2: A resident of English Place reported that a check they mailed to pay a credit card bill was altered and changed to pay an unknown source. The amount of the check was $1,238.81. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On March 2: Officers Justin Gumprecht and Christopher DeBiasse went to the Lyons Mall for a report of an elderly man who was panhandling through the parking lot, asking people for money. The man was described as driving a white Mercedes-Benz SUV. The officers contacted the male while driving the Mercedes and discovered he appeared to be intoxicated. The man John Liss, 68, of Bernardsville, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence of liquor or drugs, careless driving, open container of alcoholic
beverage, and was issued a special complaint summons for asking shoppers for money and disturbing the peace. Liss was trespassed from the Lyons Mall property by the Lyons Mall,
Inc. for engaging in such behavior from previous incidents.

On March 4: A resident from Stonehouse Road reported having a check altered that they mailed from the Basking Ridge Post Office. The check was written to pay a Citibank credit card bill for $2,071.79. The victim discovered that an unknown person had intercepted the check and altered it to be paid to an unknown person. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On March 5: Officer Jose Mojica conducted a motor vehicle stop of a Jeep Compass at the Martinsville Exxon. After contacting the driver, Malyeah Y Karweh, 28, of Newark, it was determined that she had several active warrants from Newark and Rochelle Park Municipal Courts. Both agencies authorized an ROR and provided new court dates for Karweh. Karweh was released on her own recognizance.

On March 13: Officers went to a home on Carlisle Road and a home on Aberdeen Place for reported burglaries to motor vehicles parked in the driveway. The only items reported missing from the burglaries are believed to be a pair of house keys from the Aberdeen Place home. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On March 17: A resident of Honeyman Road reported their Amazon account was hacked and someone used it to order an Apple iPad. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On March 22: The Ling Ling Chinese Restaurant reported a burglary in which someone entered the restaurant overnight and emptied the cash register and an employee tip jar totaling
around $250. On March 24, they advised that they also discovered a blank business check had been taken from a bank book in the restaurant. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

On March 26: Officer Joseph Gorky arrested Edward Iannacone, 61, of Basking Ridge, on three active warrants he was known to have from Manville Borough for $1,250, Somerville Borough for $1,000, and Warren Township for $550. Iannacone was taken to the Somerset County Jail and
turned over to the Manville Borough Police Department.

On March 26: Officer Tim Polizzi conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested Kyerre Thompson, 26, of Newark, after it was discovered he had an outstanding warrant from Bernards Township for $1,000. Thompson was provided with a new court date, issued motor vehicle summonses for driving with a suspended license, and failure to give proper signal, turning or stopping, and was released on his own recognizance.

On March 27: Officers William Krajicek, Dean Hogan, and Aidan McArdle got a report of a possible DUI driver and found a vehicle that drove off the roadway in front of The Arbor Terrace Assisted Living Facility at 3066 Valley Rd. The vehicle sustained heavy rear-end damage and was missing a front tire. The driver of the vehicle, Jay Green, 50, of Livingston, appeared to be intoxicated. Green was taken to Morristown Medical Center because of his intoxicated state. Krajicek applied for a blood draw warrant, which was granted by a Somerset County Superior Court Judge. Green was issued summonses for operating under the influence of liquor or
drugs, reckless driving, and traffic on marked lanes.

On March 29: Officers found a vehicle that was reported abandoned on Tartan Drive. The vehicle is a Chevy Traverse that was reported stolen out of Bernardsville on March 13. The vehicle was towed and brought to Bernardsville Police Headquarters.

On March 29: Det. Kenadall Kulik conducted a motor vehicle stop and arrested the driver, Li Li, 61, of Martinsville, after it was determined that he was operating the vehicle under the
influence of liquor or drugs. Li was issued motor vehicle summonses for operating under the influence of liquor or drugs, careless driving and traffic on marked lanes. Li was released to a family member.

On March 30: Officer Christopher Debiasse initiated a motor vehicle stop and arrested the driver Leidy Acevedorodriguez, 43, of Kearny, for an outstanding warrant from Kearny Municipal Court. Acevedorodriguez was provided with a new court date by the Kearny Municipal Court and was
released on her own recognizance.

On March 30: A resident of Penns Way reported falling victim to a scam in which they paid $20,500 in cash to a courier who was sent to the home. The unknown suspect/s sent multiple
Fraud Alert notifications to the victim and was able to convince them that they had to pay the $20,500. The Detective Bureau is investigating the incident.

The Bernards Township police sent out a warning to residents about an increase in reported "courier" scams that have cost victims money in the Township and across New Jersey. Read More: Uptick In 'Courier' Scams Prompts Warning From Bernards Township Police

"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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