In Cedar Grove: Deer Cause Crash, DWI and Psilocybin Mushrooms

Editor’s Note: The following incidents are taken directly from the Cedar Grove Police Blotter, which may not include the full scope of police activity in the area. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

On Monday, March 16, at 9:15 p.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the 27 year-old operator, Crystal M. Parra of Newark; after it was determined her New York State driving privileges were under suspension. Checks of the Automated Traffic System (ATS) and Automated Complaint System (ACS) revealed the defendant was also wanted on outstanding warrants issued by six different courts. Parra was processed on all charges and released after posting the required bail.

On Tuesday, March 17, police responded to two separate motor vehicle crashes involving deer. The first occurred at 6:53 a.m. at Fairview Avenue & Upland Way. The involved motorist had been traveling south on Fairview when a deer ran into the roadway resulting in a collision. The vehicle, a 2012 Toyota, sustained front-end damage and the deer got up and ran from the scene. The second occurred at Rt. 23 & Stevens Avenue at 7:03 p.m. The involved motorist had been traveling south on Rt. 23 when a deer entered the road and ran into the side of her vehicle, a 2013 Toyota. The vehicle sustained body damage and the deer was killed in the collision. * Due to the large deer population in the area, motorists are urged to use caution when operating near wooded areas, especially between dusk and dawn.

On Wednesday, March 18, at 1:34 a.m., Ptl. Raymond Cassella initiated a motor vehicle stop for a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the man’s breath, along with signs of impairment. Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 51 year-old operator, Richard Catalano Jr. of Cedar Grove, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Thursday, March 19, at 7:44 p.m., Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation revealed the 23 year-old operator, Pavel A. Mayer of Linden, was wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Springfield Court. Mayer was processed at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.

On Thursday, March 19, at 10:31 p.m., Ptl. Christopher Heck initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation revealed the vehicle was uninsured and displaying a suspended NJ registration. The 53 year-old owner/operator, Karen E. Henderson of East Orange, was cited for the violations and her vehicle, a 2001 Toyota, was impounded.

On Friday, March 20, at 10:49 a.m., police arrested a Verona on charges he was operating a motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension, in addition to being wanted on an outstanding civil contempt warrant issued by the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department. The 49 year-old defendant, William J. Hayes, was processed at police headquarters and turned over to the Sussex County Sheriffs on their warrant. Ptl. Jose Rodriguez was the arresting officer.

On Monday, March 23, at 12:40 a.m., Ptl. Nicole O’Halloran initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing a vehicle being operated in an erratic manner. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, she detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the woman’s breath, along with signs of impairment. Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 29 year-old operator, Elyse C. Cromwell of West Orange, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Subsequent to arrest, Cromwell was also found to be in possession of the Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Psilocybin (mushrooms). The defendant was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released pending an April 1, 2015 Superior Court Arraignment in Newark.