Cedar Grove Police Blotter

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

On Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7:51 a.m., a Harper Terrace reported the theft of a motor vehicle.  The victim reported that sometime during the overnight hours, some unknown person(s) stole a 2000 Audi from his driveway.  The vehicle was subsequently entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer as stolen. 

On the same morning, two residents from the surrounding streets of Beverly Road and Bentley Road reported that unknown subjects had entered their parked vehicles during the overnight hours. Two iPods and a change purse were known to be stolen from the passenger compartments of two of the involved vehicles.  The detective bureau also responded and processed the vehicles for physical evidence.

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On Thursday, Nov. 10 at 9:10 a.m., police responded to the Washington Academy on Pompton Avenue on a report that a student was in possession of the Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) marijuana.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the detention of a 15 year-old student after it was determined that he was in fact in possession of a small amount of marijuana.  The juvenile was processed at police headquarters and released pending Juvenile Court proceedings.  Ptl. Scott Moody was the investigating officer. 

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On Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7:50 p.m., police responded to a North Mountain Avenue residence on a report or a burglary.  A subsequent investigation revealed that an unknown actor(s) had forced entry to the home sometime between 8:00 a.m. and the time of report.  Several rooms inside the home were ransacked, but it was not immediately known what was missing.  The detective bureau also responded and processed the scene for physical evidence.  Any person that may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact detectives at 973-239-4100. 

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On Friday, Nov. 11 at 1:03 p.m., Ptl. Richard Macaluso responded to the intersection of Route 23 and Ridge Road on a report of a motor vehicle crash.  As the officer secured the involved operators credentials, he detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the breath of one of the drivers.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the man, 72 year-old Richard P. Kregloski of West Orange, on a charge of driving while intoxicated.  The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.  No injuries were reported in the crash. 

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On Friday, Nov. 11 at 5:09 p.m., police responded to a Sherman Avenue residence on a report of a burglary.  The resident reported that sometime between the hours of 2:15 p.m. and the time of report, her home had forcibly entered and prescription medicine had been stolen.  A subsequent investigation resulted in the identification and arrest of 30 year-old Jessica L. Locascio of Cedar Grove on charges relating to the burglary of the home and the theft of the prescription medicine.  The defendant, who was known to the victim, was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Superior Court Arraignment on November 17, 2011.  Ptl. Carolyn Zajack and Det. Sgt. John Kennedy were the investigating officers.    

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On Friday, Nov. 11 at 5:31 p.m., police responded to the area of Ridge Road & Brairhill Road on a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a deer.  A subsequent investigation revealed that the involved vehicle was traveling north on Ridge when a deer ran into the roadway resulting in a collision.  The involved vehicle, a 2005 Honda, sustained body damage in the crash and the deer ran from the scene. 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 Saturday, Nov. 12 at 4:46 p.m., police responded to a Lynwood Road address on a report of a burglary.  A subsequent investigation revealed that some unknown person(s) forcibly entered the home sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and upon entry ransacked the master bedroom.  Known to be missing at the time of report was a diamond ring, some cash and numerous pieces of costume jewelry.  During a canvas of surrounding homes, a resident reported observing a white mid-size vehicle (Chevrolet or Buick) stop in front of the victim’s home at approximately 2:00 p.m.  He further observed a thin olive skinned male in his early thirties carrying a brown shopping bag entered the passenger side of the vehicle, at which time the vehicle left the scene.  The detective bureau processed the scene for physical evidence and is conducting a follow-up investigation.  Any person that may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact detectives at 97-239-4100.               

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On Saturday, Nov. 12 at 10:25 p.m., Ptl. Jason Rivers 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 29 year-old operator, Mario Sarachelli of Fairfield, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

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On Sunday, Nov. 13 at 3:57 a.m., Ptl. Jason Rivers initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation.  A subsequent check of the NJMVC computer revealed that the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension.  The 25 year-old operator, Michael P. Mulligan of West Milford, was arrested on the charge, processed at police headquarters, and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

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On Sunday, Nov. 13 at 9:15 a.m., police arrested a West Caldwell man on a charge that he was operating a motor vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension.  The 30 year-old defendant, Michael R. Acikbaht, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.  Ptl. Jason Rivers was the arresting officer.

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On Monday, Nov. 14, police investigated three reports of parked motor vehicles being entered during the overnight hours.  The victims, residents of South Mountain Avenue and Buena Vista Road, all reported that unknown person(s) had entered and rummaged through their cars sometime during the overnight hours.  Known to be missing from one of the vehicles was a portable Global Positioning System (GPS).  * Residents are advised to lock and alarms their vehicles at night and secure all valuables.

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On Monday, Nov. 14 at 8:11 a.m., police and fire personnel responded to the Community Park on a report of a fire. Upon arrival, a Recreation Department worker reported that he had observed smoke coming from the lower playground and upon investigation discovered a piece of playground equipment on fire.  The worker was able to extinguish the fire with a hand held extinguisher and contacted police.  An initial police investigation revealed that the fire appears to have been deliberately set by some unknown person.  The detective bureau processed the scene for physical evidence and is now conducting a follow-up investigation with the assistance of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Squad.  Any person having information on this incident is asked to contact detectives at 973-239-4100.

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On Monday, Nov. 14, police investigated a report of a theft that occurred at the Memorial Middle School on Wednesday, November 9^th.  The theft victim, a student at the school, reported that some unknown person had entered her school locker and removed $30.00 in cash from her backpack.  The victim reported that her locker had been locked, but no forced entry was observed.  The victim was advised to change the lock on the locker.    

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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.