In Nutley: Guardian Angel Theft, Illegal Dumping, Suspicious iPad Sale, Juvenile Steals Hennessey, Identity Theft

Editor’s Note: The following incidents are taken directly from the Nutley police blotter, which may not include the full scope of police activity in the area. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

6/6/15

Property damage – Hancox Avenue – A vehicle was found to have damage to the windshield starting from the passenger side lower part and extending out about two feet. The victim believes the damage was caused by a basketball since they parked underneath a basketball hoop but has no proof exactly how the damage occurred. The victim was advised of how to pick up a copy of the police report.

6/7/15

Illegal dumping – Friedland Road - Responded to a call for illegal dumping. Upon arrival, spoke to the homeowner who stated that someone had left a black garbage bag full of debris on the side of their house on the curb. The bag was left by an unknown person on the south side of the house which is on Friedland Rd. This is not the first time this has occurred but does not know who may be responsible. The victim was advised to call the police back if they should see anyone suspicious in the area of if they find out who is responsible.

Criminal mischief – Ridge Rd - Homeowner reported their large flower pots here removed from the front steps and smashed in the street. They stated they heard some noise outside the home, but didn’t see anyone near the property. The flower pots are valued at $300. Officers checked the rest of the property with the homeowner, and did not notice any other criminal mischief to the property or vehicles.

Theft - Park Drive - Officers responded to a motor vehicle investigation. The victim explained that their car was not in the parking space they left it in upon return to their vehicle after a jog. It was found on the same road but in a different location. Upon locating the vehicle, they stated the doors were locked and the keys were secured in the interior of the vehicle. Furthermore, they noticed the glove box open, the radio console wasn’t working, and other contents of the vehicle rummaged through. Prior to police arrival they forced entry into the vehicle and went through it. The only item missing from the vehicle was an IPHONE 6 (approx. $600). The victim attempted to locate his IPHONE through the “Find My IPHONE” application but the phone was turned off. No identification numbers could be provided at this time. Other contents in the vehicle remained untouched. There was an item found in the car that did not belong to the victim.

Arrest on warrant- Kingsland Street - While checking the area of Joerg Ave. in reference to another call, officers interviewed a male party in the area and they were found to have an active warrant out of Jefferson Township and were a wanted party by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Martin Kirk, 58, of Nutley, was transported to headquarters without incident. Sussex County Sheriff’s officers were contacted and responded to Nutley Headquarters to transfer Kirk into their custody.

Fraud – Headquarters received a walk in report regarding a fraud. The victim mad a cash loan to a friend in the amount of $6,500. The loan came with a written agreement signed by both parties. The victim has received bad checks for payment on the loan. Additionally, the as part of the agreement, the victim was to receive the actors GMC truck if they were to default on the loan. The actor refused to sign over the truck and the victim filed a civil action with the Essex County Superior Court. Additionally, the court advised the victim to file a complaint with the Nutley Courts for bad checks. All paperwork was handed over to the Detective Bureau for follow up.

Suspicious party – Franklin Avenue – Headquarters received a call regarding a white male, 5’ 8”, short dark hair, jeans, blue dress shoes, Italian accent and bad teeth, who asked the victim for directions and then in turn sold the victim an I-pad. The victim did not feel the encounter was suspect until after the incident took place. Officers shared this information with surrounding towns in the event this was not a genuine incident.

Shoplifting – Franklin Avenue – A liquor store on Franklin Avenue reported a shoplifting incident of a bottle of Hennessey Black. The description of the male suspect was a young male juvenile, wearing a red t-shirt, red hat, and carrying a backpack. The last reported area the victim saw the suspect was in the area of Franklin Ave near Stager St. The actor was seen running into a yard on Stager St. A perimeter was set up around the residence, and shortly after officers located the suspect hiding under the deck in the rear of the house. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody without incident. A backpack belonging to the actor was located in the bushes next to where he was located. A search incident to arrest found there to be two glass pipes and a “grinder” in the backpack. All of these items had a green leafy residue in them which had the odor of both burnt and unburnt marijuana. The parent was contacted and responded to Headquarters to take custody of their child. The Juvenile Bureau drafted complaints for shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia. Items were placed into evidence.

6/9/15

Burglary to auto – Franklin Avenue – Police were dispatched to Franklin Ave. on a report of burglary to auto. The victim stated that upon arriving to their work vehicle parked on Hillside Ave., they found the pad lock to the trailer was cut in half. After further inspection it was noticed that several items were missing including: two Echo leaf blowers (approx. value $850 each) and a Redmax hedge clipper (approx. value $800). Detective Bureau was notified.

Arrest on warrant – Franklin Avenue – A motor vehicle stop resulted in the arrest of Olivia Duarte, 26, Nutley, for an outstanding warrant out of Newark. She was issued summons for Obstruction of Windshield, was able to post full bail, and was released after being advised to contact Newark Municipal Court for further instruction.

Identity theft – The victim reported receiving their tax return from the US Treasury but it was for the incorrect amount. They next contacted their accountant and the IRS, who confirmed that someone fraudulently filed a 2014 return using their name, and both their social security numbers. The IRS stated they will be investigating and advised the victim to return the check to them and to fill & submit certain IRS forms. They also advised the victim to contact the three credit bureaus to check for further fraudulent activity and to setup fraud monitoring. Officers advised the victim that due to this incident, both parties were entitled to sign up to the FBI’s Identity Theft File, however they declined. It was also noted that the fraudulent e-file tax return that was filed did not include their children and the unknown actor used their home address for the return check.

Arrest on Warrant – Prospect Street – Officers responded to a call regarding a vehicle stuck in a very hazardous location. The vehicle had a dead car battery and the owner requested a tow. The registered owner, Brianna Reisch, 23, of Nutley was found to have an active traffic warrant out of Manalapan and was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. Manalapan Police released Reisch on her own recognizance after advising her of her new court date.

Criminal Mischief – A Wilson Street resident reported they found sections of their wire fence pulled up and moved from where they were originally placed. The fence sections were not damaged. The fence was put up to prevent dogs from urinating on the front lawn which has been an ongoing problem. Not aware of who may have moved fence.

Theft – Centre St – The victim came into the Nutley Police Station to make a report of a theft. They stated that someone stole their Chicago Police Department Complimentary Badge along with a utility knife from their apartment. There were no signs of forced entry to the apartment and nothing else seems to be missing at this time. Investigation ongoing.

DWI – Kingsland St – An accident resulted in the arrest of Janet Clausen, 58, Clifton, for driving while intoxicated. She was transferred to Headquarters without incident, processed, issued summons for Driving While Intoxicated, and advised of her mandatory court date before being released.

6/11/15

Arrest on Warrant – Franklin Avenue – A party known to officers to have an outstanding warrant out of Newark was taken into custody. Mark Howard, 18, Elizabeth, was transported to Headquarters without incident, and after contacting Newark Police, was released on his own recognizance pending his new court date, which he was advised of prior to release.

Theft – Rhoda Ave – A homeowner reported a past occurred theft of a “white stone” statue of a Guardian Angel taken from the front lawn. The statue was last seen on Saturday. The value is approximately $300.

Narcotics investigation – Nelson Place – A narcotics investigation resulted in the arrest of three young men for possession of CDS. They were transported to headquarters without incident, processed and, issued a summons for possession of CDS, advised of their court dates and released.

6/12/15

Arrest on warrant – Kingsland Avenue - A motor vehicle stop resulted in the arrest of Peter Devlin, 60, Nutley, for an outstanding warrant out of Maywood. Devlin was transported to headquarters without incident, was able to post the appropriate bail, was issued a traffic summons for driving while suspended and was instructed to contact the Maywood Municipal Court to inquire about a new court date upon his release.