Possible Mail Thief Flees Prompting Chase In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A police chase of a possible mail thief in Basking Ridge was stopped when it became too dangerous to the public and officers, according to the Bernards Township Police blotter.

On March 15 at around 9:48 a.m., Bernards Township Police Officers went to the area of Spring House Lane for a report of theft.

The caller reported a silver BMW sedan with tinted windows possibly stealing mail from a mailbox.

Officers saw a silver BMW fleeing the area. Officers tried to stop the vehicle but the BMW fled onto Mt. Airy Road, according to the blotter.

The BMW continued onto Interstate 287 North and was driven recklessly at a high rate of speed posing a significant risk to the motoring public and officers, said police.

Officers stopped any attempts to stop the vehicle. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

Bernards Township Police Blotter for the month of March:

During the above timeframe, Bernards Townsship Police Department(BTPD) officers responded to 27 motor vehicle crashes. There were five injuries reported and 15 motor vehicle summonses were issued.

On March 4: A resident of Spruce Street reported credit card theft. The victim stated they found
unauthorized charges on their personal credit card. The victim provided locations of the fraudulent charges. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On March 5: Mingo Hu, of Woodside, NY, was arrested by Officer Alec McCrea for a Fugitive from Justice warrant out of North Hampton Sheriff’s Office in Pennsylvania. McCrea was performing
stationary speed monitoring on Spring Valley Boulevard when he saw a 2012 Kia with an
equipment violation. McCrea stopped the vehicle and checked Hu’s driver’s license, which
revealed an active criminal warrant for fraud. Hu was placed under arrest and taken to Somerset
County Jail pending an extradition hearing to Pennsylvania.

On March 6: Officers and detectives went to a home on Marilyn Street for a residential burglary. Someone forced entry into the home and stole various valuables. Anyone with information or who witnessed any suspicious activity, is asked to contact the police department. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On March 10: A resident of Benedict Cresent reported a package theft. The victim reported a package was delivered by FedEx however it was not in their possession. This case is under
investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On March 11: A resident of W. Oak Street reported packages stolen from their residence. The victim
reported the packages were delivered sometime near the end of February. The victim eventually
realized they never received the packages and reported the theft. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On March 12 at around 3:44 p.m.: Patrol officers and Basking Ridge Fire Company(BRFC) responded to The Residence of Basking Ridge, located on Mt. Airy Road, for a small fire in an apartment. Upon arrival, staff extinguished the fire and the scene was turned over to the BRFC. No injuries or damage to the apartment were reported.

On March 14 at around 12:47 p.m.: Officer Jose Mojica saw a silver Infiniti G35 traveling on Route 78 westbound. Mojica saw the vehicle had equipment violations and conducted a motor vehicle stop. During the motor vehicle stop, Mojica discovered a passenger in the vehicle, Jean Allen 3rd of East Orange, had active criminal and traffic warrants. Mojica arrested Allen on the warrants. Allen was processed on the warrants, provided a new court date, and released from the scene.

On March 15: A resident of Irving Place reported a theft of credit cards and money from their wallet. The victim believed the items were stolen sometime on March 14 while at Mountain Park. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On March 15 at around 11:21 pm.: Officer Joshua Filipovits saw a white Acura MDX traveling on Mount Airy Road with an equipment violation. Filipovits conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and the driver, Kevin Romocalderon, of Paterson, was arrested on outstanding traffic warrants from Wood-Ridge Borough, Paterson, Paramus, and Haledon. Romocalderon was taken to BTPD headquarters and processed on his outstanding warrants. Romocalderon was able to post bail and released.

On March 15: A resident of River Farm Lane reported an incident of criminal mischief. The caller reported that someone threw eggs at their residence. No damage to the residence was reported by the victim.

On March 20: Officer William Krajicek arrested Jacob Carom, of Frenchtown, on an outstanding Bernards Township Municipal Court warrant. Carom was unable to post bail and was taken from Raritan Township Police Headquarters to Somerset County Jail.

On March 24 at around 2:59 a.m.: Officer Bryson Buchanan saw a silver Saturn L10 traveling on Martinsville Road with equipment violations. Buchanan conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Georgy Estevez, of Bayonne. Buchanan discovered Estevez had an active traffic warrant out Monroe Township. Buchanan arrested Estevez and turned him over to Monroe Township Police Department.

On March 25: Officers responded to the Highlands Village Center for a report of criminal mischief. The victim, who is employed at a business, reported their bicycle was purposely damaged by someone. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

On March 28 at around 1 p.m.: Officer Jose Mojica saw a blue Honda Accord traveling on Mt. Airy Road with equipment violations. Mojica conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and the driver, Aljiernon Aiken of Newark, was found to have active traffic warrants out of Newark Municipal Court. Aiken was arrested on the outstanding warrants and processed on scene. Aiken was released pending a new court date.

On March 30: Officers went to Basking Ridge Country Club for a burglary and theft of an unlocked motor vehicle. The victim reported someone entered their vehicle, a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe, and stole credit cards. The stolen credit cards were used later by the suspect(s) for fraudulent purchases. This case is under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

During the month of March, BTPD took eight reports of identity theft and scams with around $30,000 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," according to police.

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