Cedar Grove Police Blotter

On Wednesday, April 13, at 1:14 a.m., police and fire personnel responded to Rose Terrace on a report that two homes may have been struck by lightning.  A subsequent investigation revealed that one of the involved residents first heard a loud clap of thunder and then lost power to the second floor of her home.  Upon further investigation, the resident detected a burning odor coming from her electrical panel and then contacted the police department for assistance.  A subsequent exterior examination of the two involved homes revealed siding damage to areas around the main power lines, indicating that the lightening had traveled along the lines into the residences. A fence between the two homes also showed signs of lighting damage.  Following a fire department and PSE&G inspection, the involved homes were ultimately declared safe.  The cost to repair the lightening damage was unknown at the time of report.           

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On Wednesday, April 13, police charged an East Orange man with leaving the scene and failing to report a motor vehicle crash.
The 21 year-old defendant, Erickson Francois, was charged following an investigation that revealed he was the operator of a hit and run car involved in an April 8 crash at the intersection of Pompton and West Bradford avenues.
At the time of the crash, police were informed one of the involved cars had fled the scene and was traveling west on West Bradford Avenue.
After a witness provided police with a license plate number for the hit and run car, police located the car parked unoccupied in the Canterbury Nursing Home parking lot.
Further investigation revealed Francois had taken the vehicle without the vehicle owner’s consent and become involved in the crash.
Francois was additionally charged with being an unlicensed driver and failure to yield the right of way and released pending a municipal court appearance.

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On Wednesday, April 13, police investigated a report of criminal mischief to a parked motor vehicle.
The car’s owner reported someone damaged the door handle and lock to her 2010 BMW sometime between 9 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.
No entry was made to the car and the cost to repair the damage was unknown at the time of the report.

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On Thursday, April 14, at 12:42 a.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio stopped a car for a traffic violation.
Further investigation revealed the driver’s driving privileges were under suspension. 
The driver, Katrina L. Jordan, 21, of Newark, was arrested, processed at police headquarters and released pending a municipal court appearance.

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On Thursday, April 14^, at 7:20 p.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio stopped a motorcycle for a traffic violation.
Further investigation revealed the 2005 Suzuki motorcycle was unregistered and uninsured. 
Fritz M. Jasmin, 27, of Maplewood, was ticketed for the violations and released pending a municipal court appearance.
The motorcycle was impounded.

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On Sunday, April 17 at 11:22 a.m., police responded to the Foodtown Supermarket on Pompton Avenue on a report of a shoplifting.
Further investigation resulted in the arrest of 34 year-old Anthony G. Gallipoli of Totowa on a charge he had shoplifted $175.89 worth of merchandise from the store.
Gallipoli was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a municipal court appearance.

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On Sunday, April 17, a Bergen Drive resident reported the theft of six decorative ornaments from the front of her residence.
The victim reported that sometime during the overnight hours, someone removed six cement angel cherubs from her front porch and landscaping beds.
The stolen cherubs varied in size and weight from 25 lbs to 150 lbs.  The aggregate value of the stolen property was estimated at $1,000.  Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at (973) 239-4100.

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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 911.  All reports are investigated and all assistance is appreciated.

All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.