Man Crashes Car, Says He Was Avoiding A Family Of Squirrels, Police Said

Editor's note: The Glen Rock Police Department provided the following information to the media.

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Here is a summary of police activity in the borough from June 12 to Monday.

June 13

• 3:58 p.m.: Employees of Super Fresh on Lincoln Avenue reported that a shoplifter had stolen $65.94 worth of cheese and fled the store with an employee in pursuit. The employee chased him onto Lincoln Avenue where he tackled him and was able to recover the stolen cheese. The suspect was able to break free and fled on foot. With the assistance of officers from Fair Lawn and Hawthorne, Officer T.J. Graziani subsequently arrested the subject, a 35-year-old Paterson man. Witness identification as well as video surveillance from the store confirmed that man was the suspect wanted in the shoplifting. Also assisting were Sgt. Frank Riggio, Detective Mike Trover and Officer Murray Yang.

The suspect was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with shoplifting and possession of drug paraphernalia, specifically a glass pipe with suspected heroin residue, a tourniquet and a silver cap with burnt heroin residue. He was processed and released on his own recognizance pending an appearance in Glen Rock Municipal Court Tuesday.

• 4:21 p.m.: A black 2010 Honda legally parked in front of an office building at 66 Glen Ave. across the street from the post office, was side swiped by an unknown vehicle which left the scene. There are no known witnesses. According to the vehicle’s owner this occurred sometime between 2 and 4 p.m.; anyone who may have witnessed this accident and can identify the hit-and-run vehicle, is asked to contact the Glen Rock Police Department at 201-652-3800.

June 14

• 1:59 a.m.: During the course of a motor vehicle stop on Harristown Road, Officer Sarah Orsita arrested a 21-year-old Bronx, New York man who was wanted by the Newark Municipal Court on a warrant with $10,000 bail. The man was detained until the Newark Police Department advised that that they did not have the resources to respond. He was therefore ordered released on his own recognizance with a new court date.
• 8:12 a.m.: Patrols were dispatched to the area of Prospect Street and Woodvale Road to investigate a dispute in progress. Upon arrival, they found two Glen Rock residents who were arguing over an online purchase. Officers were able to de-escalate the situation. Parties both then agreed to leave the area and resolve the matter at a later time.
• 5:53 p.m.: During the course of a motor vehicle stop on Fairview Avenue, Officer Sam Evans arrested a 57-year-old Hawthorne man who had an active warrant issued by Ridgewood Municipal Court. The man was transported to Police headquarters where he posted $200 bail and was released.

June 16

• 4:13 a.m.: During the course of a motor vehicle stop on Route 208, Officer John Tarantino arrested a 32-year-old Fort Montgomery, New York man who was wanted by the Paterson Municipal Court on a warrant with $1,500 bail. The man was detained until the Paterson Police Department advised that they did not have the resources to respond. He was therefore ordered released on his own recognizance with a new court date.
• 12:31 p.m.: An 18-year-old Glen Rock resident reported that his bicycle was taken from the area of Prospect Street stores. The teen had left his bicycle unattended and leaning against a wall of the complex. Upon his return the bicycle, valued at approximately $200, was missing. There are no witnesses or evidence.
• 4:21 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to the area of Radburn Road and Kirkwood Place to investigate a reported hit-and-run accident. According to witnesses a vehicle left the roadway, mounted the curb and subsequently struck a street sign and a tree. Lawn damage was also done to the front lawn of a Radburn Road home.

Based upon information supplied by the witnesses, officers from the Hawthorne Police Department were able to locate the vehicle and driver, a 19-year-old Hawthorne man. The driver, who was issued a summons by Sgt. Frank Riggio for leaving the scene of an accident, stated that he had swerved to avoid a family of squirrels crossing the street.

June 17

• 12:50 p.m.: Following a Lojack hit generated from his patrol vehicle’s Lojack unit, Officer T.J. Graziani assisted with the recovery of a stolen vehicle out of Newark. The vehicle was tracked to Goffle Road with the assistance of Hawthorne Police and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department. The matter was turned over to the Hawthorne Police Department for further investigation.

June 18

• 1:25 p.m.: During the course of a motor vehicle stop on Route 208, Officer Bob Surdyka arrested a 21-year-old Hewitt man who had an outstanding criminal warrant issued by West Milford Municipal Court. The man was transported to Glen Rock Police Headquarters where held until a Hewitt woman posted $500 bail on his behalf.
• 1:25 p.m.: During the course of a motor vehicle stop on Maple Avenue, Officer Murray Yang arrested a 52-year-old East Orange man who had an outstanding traffic warrant issued by East Orange Municipal Court. The man was transported to Police Headquarters where posted $153 bail and was released.

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