In Nutley: Home Burglary, Car Door Hits Biker, DWI, Falling Tree Limbs, Stolen Air Conditioner, 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.

7/18/15

DWI – Hancox Avenue – An accident resulted in the arrest of Vincent Rondinella, 27, of Nutley. He was transported to headquarters, processed and issued summonses for driving while intoxicated, failure to provide valid driver’s license, unlicensed driver, and careless driving w/ property damage. He was advised of his mandatory court date and released.

Property damage – Centre Street – The victim was riding his bicycle when a party in a parked vehicle, who didn’t see any vehicles coming, opened their door and the knee and bicycle of the victim hit the car door and fell to the ground. The rider declined any medical treatment and was able to ride their bicycle home. No damage occurred to the vehicle’s door.

7/19/15

Attempted burglary – Fischer Avenue – Officers responded to a report of an attempted burglary to auto. The victim stated their vehicle had its front driver side door lock damaged during the evening. It did not appear anyone gained access inside the vehicle but did damage the lock. Amount of monetary damages was not available at the time of the report. The victim did not hear or see anything suspicious and was advised to contact police should they need any further assistance and how to obtain a copy of this report.

Tree limb down – Park Way – Officers observed a tree limb obstructing the road way and contacted the Shade Tree Department who assessed the area and responded to remove the limb from the roadway.

Arrest on warrant – River Rd – A motor vehicle stop resulted in the arrest of Melwin Garcia-Colon, 22, of Lodi, for several warrants out of Garfield, Clifton, and Passaic. He was transported to headquarters without incident where Nutley police charged him with hindering apprehension and possession of CDS, which were placed on a warrant, and two motor vehicle summonses for speeding and driving while suspended. Garcia-Colon was released on his own recognizance (Nutley) with his mandatory court date. All other jurisdictions were contacted and he was transported to Clifton Police Department and left in their custody.

7/20/15

Burglary – Donna Court – Victim returned home and found their rear door smashed in. Upon inspecting the residence, it seemed there was over $1,000 in items missing from the home. The Detective Bureau was contacted and took over the investigation. A canvass of the neighborhood yielded negative results.

DWI – Bloomfield Avenue – Headquarters received numerous calls regarding an erratic driver on Bloomfield Avenue. The vehicle was described as a white Toyota Tacoma, with heavy front end damage that was driving on the rim of the front driver’s side tire. The driver, John McMillin, age 58, of Nutley, was placed under arrest and charged with driving while intoxicated, advised of his mandatory court date and released.

7/21/15

Suspicious incident – Nutley Ave – Homeowner in the area reported the cable line to their house was cut and the PSE&G meter outside was tampered with. No one in the neighborhood saw or heard anything relative to the incident. The victim is contacting both companies about the damage.

Suspicious Incident – Hastings Ave – A neighbor advised the homeowner that an air conditioner that they had out in the back of their driveway was taken by two males driving a blue Mitsubishi. They went on to state that they backed into the driveway and took the air conditioner. It was noted that one of the actors did ring the front doorbell and when there was no answer left the scene. The neighbor wished to remain anonymous.

7/22/15

Property damage – Centre Street – A homeowner contacted police to report that their vehicle had been struck by a fallen tree branch. Officers observed the damage had apparently been caused by a dead branch that had fallen from a nearby Municipal tree. The damage consisted of a dent to the roof, a partially shattered front windshield and scratches and a dent to the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was insured and a copy of the report was forward to the Shade Tree Department.

7/23/15

Criminal Mischief - William Street – Someone threw a rock at the window of the apartment complex and broke a window located on the 2nd floor. The incident happened in the early morning hours and the tenant did not see anyone outside the building when they heard the rock hit the window.

Identity Theft – the victim reported a purchase made on their cell phone account that was not authorized by them. A replacement phone was ordered on their account without their knowledge or consent. The cell phone company was aware of the matter. The victim was advised of the procedure for registering as an identity theft victim, and agreed with the terms of the process.

7/27/15

Burglarized vehicle - A woman walking at DeMuro Park returned to her vehicle to find that it had been burglarized during her workout. The vehicle, a 2005 Hyundai, was rummaged through and contents of the woman’s purse thrown around. Police are investigating.