Cedar Grove Police Blotter

The following reports were prepared by the Cedar Grove Police Department and do not indicate a conviction.

On Tuesday, July 12 at 1:56 a.m., Sgt. Andrew McPhail initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations.  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 24 year-old operator, Anna R. Mucha of Wallington, was arrested on a charge of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.  The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

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On Thursday, July 14 at 12:49 a.m., police received a call from the Pilgrim Diner reporting a theft.  Diner employees reported that an individual had just stolen $200 from the cash register and was fleeing the scene south on Pompton Avenue driving a green Saturn.  A description of the vehicle was broadcast to surrounding towns and Verona Police subsequently stopped the car in Montclair.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the identification and arrest of Gabriel Salameh, 39, of Montclair on a charge of theft.  The stolen money was recovered and the defendant was processed and released pending arraignment in Superior Court in Newark. 

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On Friday, July 15 at 3:09 a.m., police responded to the area of 50 Grove Avenue on a report of a badly injured deer in the roadway.  Upon arrival, police discovered that the deer had apparently been struck by a motor vehicle that left the scene prior to police arrival.  Due to the severe injuries suffered by the deer, it was necessary for police to destroy the animal.  Due to the large deer population in the area, motorists are advised to use caution when operating near wooded areas, especially between dusk and dawn.

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On Friday, July 15 at 7:13 a.m., a Stevens Avenue resident reported the attempted theft of a motorcycle from the front of her residence.  The victim reported that some unknown person had jammed a key into the motorcycle’s ignition in a probable attempt to steal it.  The actor(s) were unsuccessful in starting the motorcycle.  Cost to repair the damaged ignition was unknown at the time of report. 

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On Friday, July 15 at 2:58 p.m., police responded to the CVS Pharmacy located at 387 Pompton Avenue on a report of a shoplifting.  Upon arrival, the store manager was detaining three juveniles that were observed shoplifting a total of $30.02 worth of merchandise from the store.  The store manager elected not to pursue a criminal charge but indicated that the juveniles were no longer wanted in the store.  The juveniles, ages 15, 16 & 17 from Cedar Grove, North Caldwell and Boonton, were taken into protective custody and subsequently turned over to their guardians, who were advised of the incident as reported.  Ptl. Robert McDermott was the investigating officer.    

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On Friday, July 15 at 10:53 p.m., police responded to the intersection of Pompton Avenue & East Lindsley Road on a report of a three car motor vehicle crash.  A subsequent investigation revealed that two of the involved vehicles were stopped on Pompton at the red traffic light when the third vehicle rear ended the second vehicle, pushing it into the first car.  While securing operator credentials, police observed that the driver of the third vehicle was displaying signs of impairment.  Following further investigation, the 29 year-old operator, Christopher S. Rizzolo of Livingston, was arrested on a charge of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.  The defendant was processed on the charge and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.  Ptl. Jose Rodriguez was the investigating officer.     

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On Sunday, July 17^th. at 4:19 a.m., Ptl. Eileen O’Toole stopped to investigate a running vehicle idling in a Pompton Avenue parking lot.  As the officer approached the vehicle, she observed that the operator appeared to be sleeping.  After several attempts the officer was able to wake the woman, who displayed obvious signs of impairment.  Following a subsequent series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 20 year-old operator, Michelle N. Cavallo of Wayne, on a charge of driving while intoxicated.  The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

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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.