Police Blotter: Maplewood Man Arrested on Controlled Substance Charges

Monday, July 27:

• A blue 2006 BMW 325 parked overnight in the South Orange Middle School parking lot sustained damage, as someone apparently tried to gain access by removing the driver side door lock cylinder and tampering with the door and handle.

Wednesday, July 29:

• A driver—later identified as Dave Eliassaint, 21, of Maplewood—was stopped for failing to observe a traffic signal at South Orange Avenue. and Scotland Road shortly before 11 p.m. A clear ziplock bag containing green vegetation that appeared to be marijuana was spotted in the driver side cup holder, and Eliassaint was placed under arrest by Officers Sally Reaves and John Niedzinski and taken to headquarters for processing. A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up a large clear ziplock bag of marijuana in a backpack, which also contained a large number of smaller ziplock bags, two packages of black bags, one package of clear bags and a scale. A search of Eliassaint's pockets turned up $1,481 in cash in different denominations and a small black bag of marijuana. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance; manufacturing, distributing or dispensing a controlled substance; possession of a controlled substance in a school zone; and possession of paraphernalia.
• Officers responded to Valley Street on a report of a disturbance and were met by a woman who said she had just been robbed by a man who struck her on the side and stole $20 in cash from her before fleeing on foot. A man matching the description of the perpetrator was observed walking across the Columbia High School athletic field near Hixon Place. When approached by police, he fled and was apprehended by Sgt. Hugh Ames after a brief foot chase. He was identified as Jonathan Okereke, 26, of South Orange.

Thursday, July 30:

• Two bundles containing about 64 Star-Ledger newspapers were stolen from the front of Garden State News & Village Smoke Shop in the early morning.

Saturday, August 1:

• The garage of a Valley Street business was burglarized overnight, and a blue 1995 BMW 318 convertible was stolen. Entry was initially gained through a cardboard-covered window. The perpetrators also stole tools and the license plate of a 2010 Mazda 3 that was also parked inside.

Sunday, August 2:

• A Waverly Place resident returning from a trip reported his red 1997 Dodge Dakota pickup truck stolen from his driveway. It reportedly contained $800 worth of tools and was valued at $6,000.

Monday, August 3:

• Someone attempted to steal a gold 2001 Chrysler Concorde parked at a Kilburn Place residence between 5 p.m. and approximately 9:40 p.m. The passenger side door lock had been ripped out, the steering column had been cracked open and the ignition cylinder had been removed, but nothing was reported missing from inside the car.
• A silver 2002 Dodge Intrepid parked on Garfield Place was stolen sometime between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• About 60 Star-Ledger newspapers were stolen from in front of Garden State News & Village Smoke Shop in the early morning.