Cedar Grove Police Blotter

The following reports were provided by the Cedar Grove Police. It does not indicate a conviction.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, police responded to the Meineke Car Care Center on Pompton Avenue on a report of a burglary.  A subsequent investigation revealed sometime during the overnight hours, some unknown person(s) forced entry to the building by breaking out a bay door panel and upon entry removed $80 cash from the register.  The detective bureau processed the scene for physical evidence and is conducting a follow-up investigation. 

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On Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 12:03 p.m., a township resident reported a hit & run motor vehicle crash that occurred in the area of 149 Sherman Ave.  Investigation revealed the victim’s vehicle, a 2003 Toyota, was struck by an unknown vehicle that left the scene.  Paint transfer on the victim’s car revealed the hit & run vehicle was red in color.  Any person having additional information is asked to call police at 973-239-4100.        

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On Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6:20 p.m., police responded to a Pompton Avenue bus stop on a citizen’s report of a man having a seizure.  Upon arrival, police located the unresponsive subject lying on the ground holding an aerosol can.  After several minutes, the man became responsive and refused further medical care.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the subject, identified as Matthew W. McMahon, 24, of Cedar Grove on charges that he had inhaled the fumes of a toxic chemical and was in possession of a toxic chemical (16 aerosol cans) for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication. The defendant was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.  Ptl. Carolyn Zajack and Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn were the investigating officers.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 3:09 p.m., Ptl. Jose Rodriguez responded to a report of an occupied suspicious vehicle parked on East Lindsley Road.  Upon arrival, the officer located the described vehicle and determined that the three occupants were consuming alcoholic beverages.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of one of the subjects after he was found to be wanted on an outstanding criminal warrant issued by the Paterson Court.  The 43 year-old defendant, Angel Valentin of Paterson, was processed at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.

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On Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 8:41 p.m., Ptl. John Smigelsky initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator after he was found to be wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Cliffside Park Court.  The 22 year-old defendant, Pedro Rivera, was processed at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.

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On Thursday, Oct. 13, a Lawrence Way resident reported a theft.  The victim reported that sometime on Wednesday, Oct. 12, some unknown person(s) removed two large planters from the front of his home.  The planters, described as being beige in color and made out of fiberglass, were valued at $80.00. 

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On Friday, Oct. 14 at 1:22 p.m., police executed narcotic search warrants that led to the arrest of a Township man on charges that he possessed and was distributing Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS) in the Township.  The arrest of 21 year-old Michael R. Burggraf, followed a two-month long Narcotics Bureau investigation that resulted in the issuance of search warrants for the defendant, his vehicle and his Myrtle Avenue residence.  The warrants resulted in the seizure of 27 bags of CDS marijuana packed for distribution, a larger bag containing CDS marijuana, 7 capsules of CDS Vyvanse packaged for distribution, 6 CDS Ecstasy pills packaged for distribution, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia (digital scale, zip lock bags, numerous glass pipes).  The defendant was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released pending a Superior Court Arraignment on October 20, 2011.  Lt. Joseph Cirasa, Lt. Erik Hansson, Ptl. Dominick Buscio, Ptl. Jose Rodriguez conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Verona and Little Falls Police Departments.       

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On Friday, Oct. 14 at 6:49 p.m., police arrested a Lincoln Park man on charges that he was operating an unregistered motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension.  The 37 year-old operator, Jason L. Davis, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.  Ptl. Joseph Russomanno was the arresting officer.

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On Saturday, Oct. 15 at 10:27 p.m., Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing 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 woman’s breath, along with other signs of impairment.  Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 52 year-old operator, Nancy E. Dinello of Montville, on a charge of driving while intoxicated.  The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.    

Cedar Grove Police Department requests that the public report all suspicious activity observed, as it occurs.  The police department telephone number is 973-239-4100 and in case of emergency 9-1-1.  All reports are investigated and all assistance is appreciated.

All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.