Firecracker Blows Up Mailbox On July 4th In Bedminster

Bedminster, NJ - Firecrackers were placed inside mailboxes and an American Flag was stolen around July 4th in Bedminster.

One mail box was blown up, while the other was reportedly a "dud."

On July 4 at 8:06 a.m., Bedminster Police responded to 545 Larger Cross Road for a report of criminal mischief. The officer spoke with the homeowner who advised he located his mailbox lying on the ground the day before.

The officer observed burn marks and paper particles on the mailbox. The paper particles appeared to be from a firecracker which was used to blow it off of the post. There was also burn out marks from a motor vehicle tire running alongside the mailbox. No other mailboxes in the area were tampered with.

Another firecracker or Roman Candle was found inside a Bedminster mail box on July 5 at 8:48 p.m. at 1200 Cowperthwaite Road.

Upon arrival the officer removed the partially burnt Roman candle which appeared to be a “dud”. There was no damage to the mailbox.

On July 4 at 6:41 p.m., Bedminster Police responded to 37 Foxwood Court for a theft report.

Upon arrival the officer spoke with the homeowner who advised that her American Flag was stolen sometime last night from the holder next to the garage door.

The homeowner could not provide any suspect details.

• Other Bedminster Police Blotter items:

On July 4 at approximately 2:27 p.m.: Bedminster Police responded to Rattlesnake Bridge Road for a report of an abandoned vehicle. Upon arrival the officer observed a vehicle with a Maryland registration in the roadway south of 811 Rattlesnake Bridge Road. The officer was unable to make contact with the owner of the vehicle. A duty wrecker was dispatched for impound of the vehicle. The registered owner, Andrew Dewberry, age 45 of Sykesville, MD was issued a summons for 39:4-56(a) (abandoned vehicle) via mail.

On July 4 at approximately 3:34 p.m.: Bedminster Police responded to Trump National Golf Course (900 Lamington Road) for a report of suspicious people standing in the roadway. Upon arrival the officer made contact with a male and female sitting across from the golf course entrance. The subjects advised they worked on the call team for the Trump Campaign and were wishing to wave to Donald Trump to show their support. The officer respectfully asked the couple to leave due to the safety concern of getting struck by a vehicle, they complied.

On July 5 at approximately 8:28 p.m.: Bedminster residents responded to HQ to report a theft by deception. The parties advised they sold a Playstation 4 gaming system using the app “LetGo” to someone using the alias “Bobby Smith”. Smith contacted the complainant and advised him he would send $465 via PayPal. A subject using the name “Kelvin Smith” posing as a PayPal representative contact the complainant and advised the money would be released once he provided a tracking number. The complainant responded to the post office and mailed the PlayStation to Nigeria. A few days later the complainants realized this was a scam after not being paid.

On July 7 at 3:14 a.m.: Bedminster Police initiated a motor vehicle stop on a Silver Mercury Mariner on Rte. 202/206 NB just south of the Verizon switching station. The stop was initiated due to the officer witnessing the vehicle change lanes without signaling as well as dropping its speed significantly and not maintaining its position in the center lane. Subsequent to the investigation Dioni Encarnacion-Marte, age 29 of Allentown, PA was arrested for 39:4-50 (driving under the influence) and issued a motor vehicle summons for 39:4-126 (failure to signal lane change).

On July 10 at 9:24 p.m.: Bedminster Police were responding to Rattlesnake Bridge Road and Rte 78 to place stop signs at the intersection for a down traffic light. While exiting Rte 78 (exit 26) the officer noticed a gray Dodge Caravan that was on fire facing northbound. The vehicle was unoccupied. The officer spoke to the registered owner who advised her vehicle started to overheat on Rte 78 and she pulled off of the exit and called 9-1- 1. Far Hills-Bedminster Fire Department responded and extinguished the vehicle.

(Image via Morguefile)

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