Cedar Grove Police Blotter

The following reports were prepared by the Cedar Grove Police and do not necessarily indicate convictions.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13 police responded to the Pilgrim Diner on Pompton Avenue on a report of a theft.  A subsequent investigation revealed that some unknown person had stolen an envelope containing $500 from behind the front register.  The theft occurred between 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and apparently happened when the register area was unattended.

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On Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 11:44 p.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed observation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator on charges that he was operating the vehicle with expired and suspended NJ driving privileges. The 43 year-old defendant, Anthony J. Demeo of Little Falls, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

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On Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 6:00 p.m., police responded to a Vanderberg Place residence on a report of intrusion alarm. Upon arrival, police discovered an open front door and determined that some unknown person(s) had forcibly entered the home.  An interior check of the home revealed the suspect(s) had left the scene prior to police arrival.  The homeowner subsequently reported the home was secure when they left at 4:30 p.m. During a canvas of the neighborhood, a neighbor reported that his dogs were barking at 5:50 p.m. and it is believed that the burglary was occurring at that time. The detective bureau processed the scene for physical evidence and is now conducting a follow-up investigation.  The homeowner did not immediately know if anything was missing. Residents are advised to lock and alarm homes when unattended and to report suspicious activity as it occurs.  Please be aware that many of the recent burglaries have occurred in late afternoon/early evening hours. Burglars will often ring doorbells to establish if anyone is home before breaking in. Please immediately report any instances of unknown persons observed ringing yours or a neighbor’s doorbell.  

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On Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7:27 p.m., police responded to Pompton Avenue in front of the Foodtown Supermarket on a request for assistance from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Upon arrival, officers located a Sheriff’s Officer struggling with a subject he was attempting to take into custody for intentionally crashing into his vehicle.  Officers assisted in taking the subject into custody and placed him into a police vehicle, at which time the man kicked out the rear driver’s side window of the vehicle.  The 59 year-old defendant, Ronald B. Trovato of Bloomfield, was charged with criminal mischief by the Cedar Grove Police Department and released to the custody of the Sheriff’s Department.       

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On Friday, Dec. 16 at 5:56 p.m., police responded to the area of Fairview Avenue & Skytop Road on a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a deer.  A subsequent investigation revealed that the involved vehicle had been traveling south on Fairview when a deer ran into the roadway resulting a collision.  The vehicle, a 2001 Dodge, sustained front end damage in the collision and the deer ran off into a wooded area.  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.

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On Saturday, Dec. 17 at 1:08 a.m., Ptl. Robert McDermott 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 19 year-old operator, Jasmine O. Harrison of Montclair, was arrested on the charge and transported to headquarters for processing.  A check of the Automated Traffic System (ATS) revealed that Harrison was also wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the Glen Ridge Court.  The defendant was processed on all charges and released pending court appearances in Glen Ridge and Cedar Grove.

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On Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2:28 a.m., Ptl. Dominick Buscio 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 man’s breath, along with other signs of impairment.  Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 54 year-old operator, Thomas P. Williams of Verona, 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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On Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3:04 a.m., Ptl. John Smigelsky observed suspicious activity in the area of Skytop Road & Upland Way. The officer initially encountered two male subjects on foot wearing dark clothing and then discovered an associated vehicle occupied by several additional persons.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the involved vehicle operator on a charge of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and five additional persons on charges of underage possession of alcoholic beverages. The vehicle operator was identified as Bryan H. Zambrano, 19, of Ridgefield Park, and the other defendants were identified as Daniel A. Perez, 19, of North Bergen, Erick Jurechko, 19, Dylan J. Toomey, 19, Kyle M. Toomey, 18, Ryan J. Toomey, 18, all of Ridgefield Park. All defendants were processed at police headquarters and released pending Municipal Court appearances. It was determined that the subjects were in the area seeking to enter the old Essex County Hospital Center grounds. Sgt. Edward Conlon assisted with the 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.