In Cedar Grove: Home Burglary, Marijuana Arrests, Traffic Arrests, Providing Officers False Information

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, July 13, at 7:30 p.m., police arrested a township woman wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Caldwell Municipal Court. The 25 year-old defendant, Deirdre M. Pontbriand, was processed at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail. Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn was the arresting officer.

On Tuesday, July 14, at 3:37 p.m., Ptl. Christopher Heck initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent check of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) computer revealed the operator’s NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 61 year-old operator, Robin G. Marte of Newark, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 3:48 a.m., an investigation into a suspicious vehicle parked on Skytop Road in proximity to the old Essex County Hospital Center resulted in the detention of a 17 year-old Sewaren juvenile after she was found to be in possession of the Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) marijuana (under 50g). Police additionally took two other juveniles, a 15 year-old and a 17 year-old from Avenel, into protective custody due to the hour and circumstances. The Sewaren juvenile was also charged with probationary driver violations (too many passengers and operating after hours) and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle. All three juveniles were processed and turned over to their guardians. Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn was the investigating officer.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 10:03 a.m., police arrested a Township man on a charge he was operating a motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 46 year-old defendant, Todd R. Green, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Jose Rodriguez was the arresting officer.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 1:16 p.m., Ptl. Jose Rodriguez initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator after it was determined he was wanted on outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Fort Lee Court, in addition to being in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g). The 23 year-old defendant, Vincent R. Masciale of Bayonne, was processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance after posting the required bail.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 5:20 p.m., Ptl. Jose Rodriguez initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed speeding violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator after it was determined she was wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the West Orange Court. The 32 year-old defendant, Keenya C. Williams of Newark, was processed at police headquarters and turned over to the West Orange Police on their warrant.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 8:58 p.m., Ptl. John Smigelsky initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent check of the NJMVC computer revealed the operator’s NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 54 year-old operator, Alexandri J. Ellis of East Orange, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Wednesday, July 15, at 11:06 p.m., a Mountain Avenue resident reported his home had been burglarized. The victim reported he had left the home at 6:30 p.m. and upon returning at 10:30 p.m., discovered some unknown person(s) had ransacked three upstairs bedrooms. It is believed an unlocked rear door was the point of entry into the home. Known to be missing at the time of report was $550 in cash. The detective bureau processed the scene for physical evidence and is conducting a follow-up investigation. Anyone observing suspicious activity or having additional information is asked to contact detectives at 973-239-4100. Residents are urged to lock all doors and windows and activate home security systems (should they have one) when going out.

On Thursday, July 16, at 1:35 a.m., Sgt. Edward Conlon observed an occupied motor vehicle parked on Mills Reservation property after the posted curfew. As the officer approached to investigate, he detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the car. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the 18 year-old operator, Mark A. Dente of Verona, after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g). Due to the hour and circumstances, two juvenile passengers, a 16 year-old and a 17 year-old from Verona, were also taken into protective custody and turned over to their guardians. Dente was processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Friday, July 17, at 2:05 a.m., police arrested a West Orange woman on a charge she was operating a motor vehicle while her NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 52 year-old defendant, Natividad T. Borda, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Raymond Cassella was the arresting officer.

On Saturday, July 18, a Birch Road resident of the Cedar Grove Garden Apartments reported the theft of money from her apartment. Upon returning home on Friday at 4:15 p.m., the victim noticed dead bolts on both doors that had been locked when she left that morning were now unlocked. She then discovered approximately $70 in cash was missing. There were no obvious signs of forced entry to apartment and the matter was forwarded to the detective bureau for follow-up investigation.

On Sunday, July 19, at 6:53 p.m., police responded to the Foodtown Plaza on Pompton Avenue on a report of a suspicious person. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the involved person, 51 year-old William Spano of Montclair, on a charge he provided police with false information as to his identity to prevent discovery he was wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the Montclair Court. Spano was processed at police headquarters and turned over to the Montclair Police on their warrant. Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn was the investigating officer.

On Sunday, July 19, at 7:19 p.m., police arrested a West Orange man on a charge he was operating a motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 50 year-old defendant, Edward Anthony, was processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Michael Passafiume was the arresting officer.

On Monday, July 20, at 12:32 a.m., Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn stopped to investigate two vehicles parked on Upland Way in proximity to the old Essex County Hospital Center. A subsequent investigation led to the arrest of a Toms River man after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g). The 18 year-old defendant, Jordan J. Mitchell, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.