In Cedar Grove: Motor Vehicle Arrests, False Name, Marijuana Arrest, Car Hits Deer

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 Wednesday, April 29, at 1:10 a.m., Ptl. Nicole O’Halloran initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing a vehicle being operated at an excessively slow speed and weaving from side to side. After securing credentials and speaking to the operator, the officer believed the man was impaired. Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 54 year-old operator, Ernesto Granados of Verona, on a charge he was driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. A department officer trained as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) also conducted testing and concluded the defendant was under the influence of a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant drug. Granados was processed at police headquarters and later released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Wednesday, April 29, at 5:20 a.m., police responded to Pompton Avenue and Cedar Grove Parkway on a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a deer. The investigation revealed the involved vehicle, a 2008 Audi, had been north on Pompton when a deer ran into the road and crashed into the driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle sustained reportable damage and had to be towed 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 Thursday, April 30, at 7:18 p.m., police charged a West New York woman with operating a motor vehicle while her NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 33 year-old defendant, Mary H. Yacoub, was cited for the violation and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Jason Rivers was the investigating officer.

On Thursday, April 30, at 10:46 p.m., police arrested a Belleville man on a charge he was operating a motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 40 year-old defendant, Arturo Espichan, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Christopher Heck was the arresting officer.

On Friday, May 1, at 7:23 p.m., Ptl. Raymond Cassella initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator on charges he provided the officer with a false name in an attempt to avoid discovery that his NJ driving privileges were under suspension and he was wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the Cedar Grove Court. The 24 year-old defendant, Mohammod Parves of Paterson, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Sunday, May 3, at 2:01 a.m., Ptl. Raymond Cassella initiated a motor vehicle stop after detecting the odor of burning marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the two vehicle occupants after they were found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g). The two defendants, Ernesto Colon, 36, of Passaic and Jose G. Zuniga Jr., 31, of Garfield, were processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.