In Nutley: American Flags Found / Sprinkler Kickers / Stolen Dirt Bike / Identity Theft

Editor’s Note: The following incidents are reprinted directly from the Nutley police blotter, a listing of selected incidents that may not include the full scope of activity in the area. All of the following incidents are accusations, and all suspects should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

8/22/15

Found property – Washington Avenue – Officers responded to the area to retrieve two American flags that were found lying on the caller’s front lawn. The flags were approximately 3ft by 5ft, attached to 7ft metal poles, and appeared to have been pulled out from the ground. The flags were similar to what is displayed in front of a gas station. While checking the nearby gas stations and armed forces organizations, another flag was found leaning up against a tree. All locations were negative for missing flags. Local towns were contacted to check for any reports of theft of flags with negative results. The flags were placed into evidence as found property.

8/23/15

Criminal Mischief – High Street - Two females were reported seen kicking and breaking the sprinkler heads of a neighbor’s property. One female was described as a slim, white, female in her 20’s, with long, dark red hair. The other female was described as in her 20’s, overweight and with green hair. Officers verified that the nozzle part of two of the sprinklers were in fact broken due to the girls actions. The current value of the broken sprinkler heads could not be determined at the time of the report. Units checked the area for the girls with negative results. The victim was advised to contact headquarters with the value of the sprinkler system, and with any video footage that may have been captured depicting the possible suspects. They were also advised of their right to sign a complaint of criminal mischief with the Nutley Municipal Court should the actors be positively identified.

Motor Vehicle Stop – Franklin Avenue – A motor vehicle stop for an expired inspection sticker resulted in the arrest of Jon Nardachone, 45, of Belleville, for an outstanding warrant out of Roxbury. He was transported to headquarters without incident, paid the required bail, and was released with the proper paperwork.

8/24/15

Shoplifting – Harrison Street – The manager of a local business reported a shoplifting incident. The party was described as a male, possibly in his 40’s, wearing a white “Corona” shirt, black jacket, blue jeans and sunglasses, who exited the store with a cart containing two large containers of Tide detergent and an Oster blender. The suspect was seen getting into a white Mazda with a female with blonde hair in the passenger seat. A description of the suspect and vehicle was sent out over transmission with negative results.

Fraud – The victim of a fraud reported an incident to police. It was stated that they received a suspicious phone call from a man with a foreign accent claiming to be an officer with the IRS. The caller advised the victim that they owed the federal government $1,943 for unpaid taxes. The caller stated that the victim could avoid going to court by sending a payment via MoneyGram transfer services. The victim responded to a store to inquire about sending a money gram payment. The victim explained the reason for the payment to the employees and they warned them about a known scam matching the call the victim received. Officers advised the victim to refrain from sending money to the unknown caller. They were also advised to contact the Nutley Police Department if they continue to receive calls of the same nature.

Fraud/Identity Theft - The victim of identity theft/fraud reported an incident to police. The party received an alert for an unfamiliar charge to their personal account and contacted their financial institution to report it. Bank personnel reported that an unknown male with a Midwest accent posing as the account holder requested to use the card abroad. They had all of the correct personal information including Social Security Number, date of birth and last four digits of their credit card. An unauthorized purchase of $4,853 was made through the account with the credit card and an additional international fee of $48 was also charged to the account. The financial institution has refunded the fraudulent charges and the victim was advised to monitor their credit for any additional fraudulent activity.

Theft – Franklin Avenue - Headquarters received a report regarding a theft from a local business. The victim stated that while shopping someone took their wallet out of their pocket book. As they were checking out they found that their wallet was no longer in their purse. There was someone standing in line during the victim checking out, but an accurate description could not be provided. Some of the credit cards were recovered in the store, but still missing were the cash, NJ driver’s license, and medical cards. Detectives advised the victim that they would be checking into the surveillance system available at the store.

Criminal mischief – Walnut Street – Police responded to the area regarding a report of criminal mischief. The victim reported that their backyard fence was damaged due to the neighbor hitting it and causing holes and the plastic to splinter. The damage is valued at less than $400. The victim was advised of their right to sign complaints with the Municipal Court.

8/25/15

General information – A party wished to report they received a phone call from an unknown number that someone in their family was being held for a ransom of $2,000. Each member of the household received the same call and they reached out to the relative to check on their well-being. At that point they realized it was a scam to get money and they informed the rest of the family. It was also reported that last week the entire family received new phones from a local phone establishment, and an inquiry was made to try and retrieve the number calling all parties, but the number could not be retrieved due to it being blocked.

8/26/15

Theft – East Centre Street – The victim of a theft reported the incident to police. Upon return to their home, they noticed that their blue and white Yamaha 125 dirt bike was missing. In speaking with the owner it was discovered that the incident may have been caught on surveillance footage. Two parties were seen entering the property and taking the bike, which is valued at approximately $700. The Detective Bureau is following up on the incident.