Rash Of Bike Thefts Leads To Arrest Of Cranford Man

CRANFORD, NJ — A Cranford man was arrested following a recent rash of bicycle thefts at the Cranford Train Station.

On Aug. 30 at 5:58 p.m., Detective Spencer Durkin was conducting an undercover surveillance detail following the rash of bike thefts. During this detail, Durkin saw a man riding a bike that he believed was reported stolen a week earlier, police reported.

Upon stopping the bicyclist, Matthew DiMarco, 29, of Cranford it was determined that the bicycle was indeed stolen on Aug. 26 from South Avenue, police reported.

DiMarco was also found to be in possession of cocaine and heroin, police said. DiMarco was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance (heroin and cocaine), possession of paraphernalia and receiving stolen property, processed and released pending a superior court appearance, police report.

Other Cranford Police Blotter items:

On Aug. 27 at 3:10 p.m.: A 2003 Toyota was stopped at the intersection of Centennial Avenue and Myrtle Street for a seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Brian Lopez located marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, Danyka Leavitt, 25, of Newark was arrested for possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance. Additionally, Leavitt was issued a motor vehicle summons for failing to wear a seatbelt.

On Aug. 27 at 4:57 p.m.: Patrol Units responded to the rear of a Chestnut Street business, on a report of an individual ingesting a controlled dangerous substance, specifically marijuana. Upon arriving on scene, Patrolman Matthew Siessel located an individual matching the description provided by the caller. Following an investigation at the scene, Siessel located marijuana on the individual, Brian Hebert, 31, of Kenilworth. Hebert was arrested for possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance.

On Aug. 26 at 12:58 a.m.: Patrolman James Knight attempted to stop a 2014 Nissan in the area of E. South Avenue and S. Union Avenue. As Knight was walking up to the vehicle, the driver accelerated at a high rate of speed toward Garwood. Knight began to pursue the vehicle, but quickly terminated the pursuit due to the danger to the public. After several minutes, the vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Westfield. The driver, Dayshawn Mingo, 18, of Newark was apprehended by Union County Police Officers. Knight could positively identify Mingo as the individual who was operating the motor vehicle which fled from Knight. Mingo was arrested for eluding, processed and released after being charged with eluding. Mingo was also issued motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving, failure to signal, improper passing, failure to obey traffic signal and failure to maintain lane.

On Aug. 28 at 7:54 p.m.: A 2001 Nissan was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and Garden State Parkway northbound exit 137 ramp for a seatbelt violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Det. Spencer Durkin located a pipe, commonly used to ingest cocaine, on a passenger, Randy Lyndon, 27, of Union. Lyndon was arrested for possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance. Additionally, Lyndon was issued a motor vehicle summonses for failing to wear a seatbelt.

On Aug. 30 at 11:01 p.m.: A 2003 Nissan was stopped at the intersection of E. South Avenue and Thomas Street for a red-light violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Brian Trotter located marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver, Jacob O’Connell, 19, of Roselle Park was arrested for possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance. O’Connell was also issued motor vehicle summonses for failing to exhibit documents, failing to stop at a red traffic signal and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

On Aug. 31 at 7:50 p.m.: A 2002 Acura was stopped at the intersection of E. North Avenue and Garden State Parkway exit 137 northbound ramp for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Ryan Gerrity located multiple hypodermic syringes inside the vehicle. The driver, Patrick Giannetta, 38, of Parsippany was arrested for possession of a hypodermic syringe, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance. Giannetta was also issued a motor vehicle summons for failing to maintain lamps.

On Sept. 1 at 2:03 a.m.: A 2005 Jeep was stopped at the intersection of E. South Avenue and E. Lincoln Avenue for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Jason D’Agostino, determined that the driver, Thomas Dreissig, 27, of Linden was operating the motor vehicle while intoxicated. Dreissig was arrested for driving while intoxicated, processed and released to a family pending a municipal court appearance. Dreissig was issued motor vehicle summonses for driving while intoxicated, failing to maintain lamps and failure to inspect a motor vehicle.

On Sept. 3 at 7:55 p.m.: A 2011 Nissan was stopped at the intersection of E. South Avenue and High Street for an equipment violation. Following an investigation at the scene, Patrolman Shayne Temple located marijuana inside the vehicle. A passenger, Christion Collins, 18, of Rahway was arrested for possession of marijuana (under 50 grams) and possession of paraphernalia, processed and released pending a municipal court appearance. The driver was issued a motor vehicle summons for having unclear plates.

(Image via Pixabay)

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