Hooded, Masked Men Checking Car Doors Reported In Bedminster

Editor’s note: One person’s name was removed from this report because his or her charges were dismissed.

BEDMINSTER, NJ — A police chase ensued after a report of people in hoodies and masks were checking car doors in the township.

On Dec. 22 at about 3:08 a.m., Bedminster Police responded in the area of 96 Wescott Road for the report of three to four people in hoodies and masks checking car doors.

While the officers were checking the area, a man wearing a green hoodie was seen ducking down behind a parked vehicle on Robertson Road. A second man wearing a blue hoodie was then seen standing up from behind a parked vehicle and start running westbound towards the Tansy Court apartment buildings, causing a foot chase to begin, Bedminster Police report.

The man was seen throwing several unidentifiable objects to the left and to the right while running. The officer was able to capture the man, police report.

Following an investigation, Eric Trujillo, 19, of Newark was arrested for an active NCIC no bail warrant out of Newark for robbery by pointing a gun, and two other no bail criminal warrants out of Newark.

Later that same day at 8:16 a.m., Bedminster Police responded to a home on Enclave Lane for a report of two burglaries to a vehicle.

The officer spoke with the residents who reported one of their vehicles were in disarray, but did not believe anything to be missing.

The other vehicle was missing $100 in cash from the middle console and a pair of Oakley sunglasses worth $100. Both vehicles were unlocked, police report.

It s unclear if these two incidents are related.

Other Bedminster Police blotter items:

On Dec. 18 at about 7:58 a.m.: Bedminster Police were dispatched to Route 206 at Church of the Hills for a motor vehicle accident with no injuries. Subsequent to the investigation, Paul Keat, 46 of Cresco, Pennsylvania was arrested on a warrant out of Cranford for $79 and a warrant out of Linden for $138. Keat was unable to post bail and was released on his own recognizance.

On Dec. 19 at about 9:11 p.m.: Bedminster Police observed a black Nissan sedan with Pennsylvania
registration fail to change lanes or slow down while the officer was on a motor vehicle stop with his marked patrol vehicle overhead emergency lights activated on the shoulder of I-78 westbound in the area of mile marker 28.6. The officer cleared the stop and caught up to the vehicle and initiated a stop on I-78 westbound in the area of mile marker 26.6. Subsequent to the investigation, the passenger, Malcom Freeman, 32 of Easton, Pennsylvania was arrested for possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS) marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Freeman was also issued a motor vehicle summons for failure of adult; rear seat passenger to wear seat belt. The driver, Nicholas Padron, 31 of Easton, Pennsylvania was issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to change lanes for emergency vehicle, obstruction of windshield for vision and operation of motor vehicle while in possession of CDS.

On Dec. 20 at about 12:05 p.m.: Bedminster Police responded to the Kings Supermarket (450 Route 202/206) and spoke with the Loss Prevention Manager who stated that an employee working on Dec. 19 stole $1,100 worth of Visa Gift Cards. Subsequent to the investigation, employee, Cameron Ferreira, 20, of Brigade Court in Bedminster was arrested for theft by deception. Ferreira was processed and released.

On Dec. 21 at about 11:45 p.m.: Bedminster Police observed a black Ford Econoline van making a left hand turn out of the River Road jug handle onto Route 202/206 southbound. While the van was making the turn, the officer observed the van slow down to the point where other vehicles had to go around it. The van also did not have rear license plate lights. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Route 202/206 southbound just prior to the I-287 southbound entrance ramp. Subsequent to the investigation, Richard Martines, 27, of Reading, Pennsylvania was arrested for possession of CDS marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. Martines was also issued motor vehicle summonses for maintenance of lamps, delaying traffic and operation of
motor vehicle while in possession of CDS.

On Dec. 23 at about 2:13 a.m.: Bedminster Police observed a gray Nissan sedan with a North Carolina registration traveling on Route 206 northbound with an obstructed front windshield due to necklaces hanging from the mirror and tinted front driver’s and passenger’s side windows. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on Route 206 northbound in the area of the Peapack Sunoco gas station. Subsequent to the investigation, the driver, [Name Removed], 27, of Bronx, New York and the passenger, Marlon Brown, 27, of New York, New York were arrested for possession of CDS marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. [Name Removed] was also issued motor vehicle summonses for obstruction of windshield for vision and operation of motor vehicle while in possession of CDS. Brown was also arrested on a warrant out of Irvington for $200. He posted bail and was released.

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