In Cedar Grove: Teens Caught With Stolen Bikes / DWI / Air Conditioner Theft / Warrant Arrests

Editor’s Note: The following incidents are reprinted directly from the Cedar Grove police blotter, a listing of selected incidents that may not include the full scope of activity in the area. All of the following incidents are accusations, and all suspects should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

On Monday, August 10, at 7:03 p.m., police received a 9-1-1 call from a Cedar Grove Parkway resident reporting a bicycle had just been stolen from the front of her residence. While checking the area for the missing bicycle, Ptl. Jason Wolfstirn observed two young male subjects riding bicycles on Pompton Avenue near Bowden Road. After determining one of the bicycles matched the description of the stolen bike, the officer stopped the subjects. It was subsequently determined one of the subjects, a 17 year-old East Orange juvenile, had just taken the bicycle from the victim’s driveway. It was also determined the second subject, also a 17 year-old East Orange juvenile, had taken the bicycle he was riding from the Petco parking lot in Pilgrim Shopping Plaza in Verona earlier that day. Both juveniles were taken into protective custody and transported to police headquarters where they were processed and turned over to their guardians pending juvenile court proceedings. The bicycle taken from Cedar Grove Parkway was returned to its owner and the bicycle taken from Verona - a girl’s Silver & Purple Shogun Shockwave Mountain Bike - is being stored at police headquarters pending the location of its owner.

On Wednesday, August 12, at 12:56 p.m., police arrested a township man wanted on an outstanding warrant issued by the Wayne Municipal Court. The 39 year-old defendant, Francis J. Kovats, was processed at police headquarters and turned over to the Wayne Police on their warrant. Ptl. Jose Rodriguez was the arresting officer.

On Thursday, August 13, at 6:10 p.m., Sgt. Frank Pumphrey initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the 38 year-old vehicle operator, Uriel Phillips of Highland Lakes, on a charge he was operating the vehicle while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension. The defendant was processed at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Saturday, August 15, at 4:28 a.m., Ptl. Michael Passafiume 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 signs of impairment. Following a series of standardized field sobriety tests, the officer arrested the 42 year-old operator, Russell J. Brown of Verona, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. Brown was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

On Sunday, August 16, a resident of the Ridge Gardens apartment complex on Ridge Road reported the theft of a window air conditioner from her garage. The victim reported the Kenmore air conditioner was taken by some unknown person(s) sometime between August 10 and August 16. The value of the stolen property was reported as $200.

On Sunday, August 16, at 11:44 p.m., Ptl. Christopher Heck initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed speeding violation. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the vehicle operator after it was determined she was wanted on an outstanding traffic warrant issued by the Teaneck Court. The 44 year-old defendant, Lidija R. Wells of Hewitt, was processed at police headquarters and released after posting the required bail.