In Cedar Grove: Suspended Licenses, Car Crash Kills Deer, Warrant Arrests

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 Tuesday, June 23, at 2:49 p.m., police arrested a township man wanted on outstanding warrants issued by the Cedar Grove Court. The 39 year-old defendant, Francis J. Kovats, was processed at police headquarters and transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility pending posting of bail or a July 1, 2015 court appearance. Ptl. Jose Rodriguez was the arresting officer.

On Tuesday, June 23, at 11:13 p.m., Ptl. Raymond Cassella initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator after it was determined he was wanted on outstanding traffic warrants issued by the Bloomfield and Rochelle Park Courts. The 21 year-old defendant, Steven D. Garcia of Newark, was processed at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.

On Saturday, June 27, at 3:43 a.m., police received a 9-1-1 call of a motor vehicle crash involving a deer on Ridge Road near the Newark Reservoir. The caller reported the involved vehicle had left the scene, leaving the badly injured deer in the roadway. The deer was dead upon police arrival and was moved off the roadway, pending pickup by the deer carcass removal service. 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.

On Saturday, June 27, at 7:53 p.m., Ptl. Raymond Cassella initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing the driver using a cell phone while operating. A subsequent check of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission computer revealed the operator’s driving privileges were under suspension. The 28 year-old operator, Tomasz K. Moskal of Passaic, was arrested on the charge and transported to police headquarters for processing. Checks of the Automated Traffic System revealed Moskal was also wanted on outstanding warrants issued by the Belleville, Clifton and Paterson Courts. The defendant was processed on all charges and released after posting the required bail.

On Sunday, June 28, at 4:10 p.m., police arrested a Passaic woman on a charge she was operating a motor vehicle while her NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The 41 year-old defendant, Charlene F. Elam, was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance. Ptl. Dominick Buscio.