Cedar Grove Police Blotter: March 2 to 9

Editor’s Note: The following incidents are taken directly from the Cedar Grove Police Blotter, which may not include the full scope of police activity in the area. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

On Monday, March 2, at 8:59 a.m., Ptl. Jose Rodriguez initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. A subsequent investigation revealed the vehicle was unregistered and the operator’s Florida driving privileges were under suspension. The 24 year-old operator, Lorenso F. Dennis of East Orange, was arrested on the charges, processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Tuesday, March 3, police arrested a Township man on charges of eluding police, obstruction of the administration of the law, reckless driving, driving while suspended, and operating a motor vehicle during a period of license suspension subsequent to a second conviction for Driving While Intoxicated. The events leading to the arrest of 32 year-old David R. Olsen initiated at 10:30 p.m. as officers were conducting a traffic detail relating to an earlier motor vehicle crash on Pompton Avenue near Cedar Street. After observing a vehicle approaching the crash scene at a high rate of speed, officers signaled for the vehicle to slow and ultimately took evasive action as the vehicle continued at them, disregarding all officer signals to stop. Officers immediately began to pursue the suspect vehicle and ultimately located the suspect, identified as Olsen, standing at the intersection of Pompton & West Bradford Avenues and subsequently discovered his vehicle parked behind a building at the same intersection. Following his arrest, the defendant was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a March 11, 2015 Superior Court Arraignment in Newark. Ptl. Raymond Cassella and Ptl. Dominick Buscio were the investigating officers.

On Thursday, March 5, at 7:49 a.m., an Old Quarry Road resident reported the theft of a motor vehicle from his driveway. The resident reported he had been warming up a 2015 Mercedes 350ML in his driveway when some unknown suspect(s) removed the vehicle. Police conducted an area search for the vehicle and surrounding agencies were notified of the theft. The vehicle was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer as stolen. * Residents are urged to not leave running vehicles unattended and to always remove vehicle keys and/or key fobs. Update: On Monday, March 9th., the stolen vehicle was recovered unoccupied in the City of Orange. The vehicle owner was notified of the recovery process.

On Saturday, March 7, at 10:54 p.m., Ptl. John Smigelsky initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. As the officer conducted the stop, he detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the discovery of CDS marijuana, Hashish, and drug paraphernalia and the arrest of the three vehicle occupants. The 46 year-old vehicle operator, Paul J. Ferraiuolo of Blairstown, was charged with possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia (two glass pipes). 33 year-old Adriane M. Cifrodelli of Whippany was charged with possession of CDS Hashish and drug paraphernalia (a vaporizer pen and a digital scale) and 21 year-old Amanda R. Testa of Parsippany was charged with possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g). All three defendants were processed and released pending Municipal Court appearance.

On Sunday, March 8, at 5:03 a.m., police stopped to investigate an occupied motor vehicle idling in a Pompton Avenue bank parking lot. Officers discovered the vehicle operator was asleep behind the wheel and initially unresponsive. Upon awakening the subject, identified as 37 year-old Ibn A. Washington of Matawan, officers detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath, along with signs of impairment. Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, Washington was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated. He was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Nicole O’Halloran and Lt. John Kennedy were the investigating officers.

The 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.