Theft From Vehicles Continues: Ridgewood Police Blotter

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Submitted by Glen Rock police, and unedited by Patch, a collection of notable service calls from the last week.

Members of the GRPD handled 298 calls for service from Jan. 24-30, 2022.

01-24-2022
Following a report of a suspicious incident on Delmar Avenue, officers canvased the area and found that numerous homes on Delmar Avenue, Ackerman Avenue and Jerome Avenue had footprints in the snow leading up to vehicles parked in their driveways. The vehicles that were locked were not damaged or entered. Five vehicles, which were left unlocked, were entered, and rummaged through. As of the time of the reports the owners were not able to determine if anything was taken from the vehicles. Video surveillance footage recovered by officers is being reviewed by the Detective Bureau. Glen Rock, and communities throughout our region, are continuing to experience an uptick in stolen vehicles and thefts from vehicles. The common denominator is that these vehicles are unlocked. During 2021 there were a total of 439 high end vehicles stolen in Bergen County. Seven of those were from Glen Rock. Just after January 1 st we experienced yet another stolen vehicle, which was recovered after it crashed in Newark. While numerous arrests have been made, the numbers continue to increase.
Vehicle owners are strongly encouraged to lock your vehicle, lock your house, lock your garage, lock your shed, do not leave valuables visible inside your vehicle and never ever leave your key fob in your vehicle. These crimes are occurring all over town at all hours of the day and night.
The Glen Rock Police Department would also like to thank those residents who have been promptly reporting incidents to us and providing us with video footage from their home security systems.
Warning: If you see someone trying to enter your vehicle, call 911 do not confront them!
01-25-2022 6:29 PM – A Glen Rock resident reported that two checking accounts were opened in their name with TD and Betterment bank. The accounts had been opened online using the complainant’s identity. Both have since been closed and the banks were able to provide the complainant with an IP and email address that were used to open the accounts. The matter has been referred to the detective bureau for review.
01-28-2022 10:03 AM – A Glen Rock resident reported being contacted by a bank concerning an overdue loan payment. The complainant was advised by the bank representative that a loan in the amount of $10,000 had been taken using their identity. There was also a bank account opened in their name that fraudulent checks had been deposited in. The complainant notified the bank’s fraud department to have the accounts closed and open an investigation. A request was submitted for supporting documentation from the bank which will be forwarded to the detective bureau when it is received.

01-28-2022 1:35 PM – Patrols were dispatched to the strip mall at 1014 Maple Avenue on a report of a truck striking the rear of the building and fleeing the scene. Through investigation Sgt. Robert Wojtecki was able to determine that the truck belonged to Snapple Distributors out of Avondale, New Jersey. With the assistance of the company the driver was located and directed to return to the scene. The driver, a 40- year-old Union New Jersey man, was issued summonses for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident. The Glen Rock Fire Department responded to the scene as well and determined that the building was not structurally compromised. The building owner was notified and is arranging for repairs.
01-30-2022 07:48 AM – Patrols responded to investigate a reported window broken out at the front door of Yami Sushi Restaurant at 945 Lincoln Avenue and determined that a burglary had occurred. The inner counter area appeared to have been tampered with and an undetermined amount of cash was taken from the register. The scene was processed by Crime Scene Investigators from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department BCI, Glen Rock detectives are examining video surveillance images and continuing the investigation.