Cedar Grove Police Blotter

On Tuesday, March 15 at 11:04 a.m., police responded to the Foodtown Supermarket on Pompton Avenue on a report of a suspicious incident. Store personnel informed police that they observed a male subject enter the store and place numerous items of baby formula in a carrying basket. When the subject became aware that he was being watched, he placed the basket down on a shelf, left the store, and entered an older white vehicle bearing a NY registration. Store management believed that the subject intended to steal the merchandise. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the involved subject or vehicle.

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On Thursday, March 17 at 10:13 a.m., Ptl. Michael Tower initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent check of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) computer revealed that the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension. The 35-year-old operator, Michael A. Frazzano of Belleville, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

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On Thursday, March 17 at 11:13 a.m., police responded to the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy located at 1041 Pompton Avenue on a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, police discovered the pedestrian, a 79 year-old Township woman, lying in the parking lot, partially under a stopped FedEx truck.  A subsequent investigation revealed that the victim had been walking from her vehicle to the pharmacy entrance when the idling truck began to slowly back-up, first knocking the victim down and then rolling the rear wheels over the victim’s lower extremities. The driver of the FedEx indicated that he was backing up to allow a parked vehicle to exit the lot and did not observe the victim prior to backing up the truck.  The victim was transported to University Hospital in Newark for treatment of injuries to her lower body. As of March 18, the victim was reported to be in stable condition. The operator of the FedEx truck was identified as Jorge E. Trivino, 28, of Dover. The status of the crash investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed as of this date.          

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On Thursday, March 17 at 5:03 p.m., police arrested a Township man wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the State of Florida Department of Corrections. The 29 year-old defendant, Steven J. Pomponio, was processed at police headquarters and transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark pending extradition to Florida. Lt. Joseph Cirasa was the arresting officer.

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On Thursday, March 17 at 9:37 p.m., police arrested a Township man wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Cedar Grove Court. The 23 year-old defendant, Charles S. Norman III, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail. Ptl. Eileen O’Toole was the arresting officer.

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On Saturday, March 19 at 11:54 p.m., Sgt. Edward Conlon investigated a suspicious occupied vehicle parked behind a Commerce Road building. As the officer approached the vehicle he detected the odor of burnt marijuana emanating from the passenger compartment. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of one of the vehicle occupants after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g). The 19 year-old defendant, Zachery C. Inkley of Cedar Grove, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. 

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On Sunday, March 20 at 6:51 p.m., police responded to the CVS Pharmacy parking lot at 387 Pompton Avenue on a report of a road rage incident. The reporting person, a 17 year-old Caldwell juvenile, reported that she had been traveling south on Pompton Avenue when the operator of a second vehicle cut off her car and slammed on the vehicle brakes, almost causing a collision. The victim reported that the adverse driver repeated this action several times before the victim pulled her car into the CVS lot.  The victim stated the other vehicle then pulled into the lot and the driver and passenger approached her vehicle yelling and cursing at her. The passenger then opened and poured a bottle of soda on and into her car.  The subjects then re-entered their car and left the area. The victim provided the NY registration for the vehicle and responding officers conducted an area search with negative results. The suspect vehicle was described as a gold Toyota and the occupants were both males. The matter was referred to the detective bureau for follow-up investigation.       

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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.