In Cedar Grove: Man Refuses To Pull Over For Ambulance, Deer Cause Car Crashes, Suspicious Vehicle, Civil Contempt

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.

During the week of June 15th, police responded to three deer involved motor vehicle crashes. The first occurred on Tuesday, June 16, at 3:33 a.m., at the intersection of Pompton Avenue and Harper Terrace. The second occurred on the same day at 7:15 p.m., at Pompton Avenue near Mountain Ridge Drive. The third occurred on June 21, at 10:58 a.m., near the intersection of Myrtle and Fairview Avenues. In all cases, deer ran into the roadway resulting in collisions and in all crashes, the deer were killed by the impact. 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, June 17, police responded to a Little Falls Road business on report of a theft. The business manager reported that sometime during the past two weeks, some unknown person(s) removed $436 in petty cash from a desk in one of the offices. There were no signs of forced entry to the business and the matter was referred to the detective bureau for follow-up investigation.

On Wednesday, June 17,. at 5:03 p.m., police arrested a Garfield man wanted on a civil contempt warrant issued by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. The 47 year-old defendant, Eric Riccelli, was taken into custody at an unrelated Municipal Court appearance, processed at police headquarters and turned over to the Sheriff’s Department on their warrant.

On Friday, June 19, at 12:39 a.m., Ptl. Raymond Cassella stopped to investigate a suspicious vehicle parked behind a closed Cliffside Drive business. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of one of the vehicle occupants after it was determined he was wanted on outstanding traffic warrants issued by the Saddle Brook Court. The 28 year-old defendant, Mathew Deradorian of Saddle Brook, was processed at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.

On Friday, June 19, at 2:35 p.m., Ptl. Carolyn Zajack initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations. A subsequent check of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) computer revealed the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension. The 46 year-old operator, George A. Rimsky of Boonton, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Saturday, June 20, at 3:33 a.m., Ptl. Jason Rivers initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent check of the NJMVC computer revealed the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension. The 20 year-old operator, Justin M. Nieves of West Orange, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Saturday, June 20, at 8:24 p.m., Ptl. Jason Wolstirn initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator on a charge he was operating the vehicle while his Washington State driving privileges were under suspension. The 46 year-old operator, Perry Bobrow of Seattle, WA, was processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Sunday, June 21, at 7:55 a.m., police responded to a report a vehicle was refusing to yield to an emergency vehicle (ambulance). Sgt. Eileen O’Toole subsequently observed the violation and initiated a motor vehicle stop. Further investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator after it was determined his NJ driving privileges were under suspension. It was also determined the 54 year-old defendant, Eliot J. Micich of Whiting, was wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Netcong Boro Court. Micich was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.