Police Blotter: Three Departments Work Together to Bust Verona Resident

March 9: At 9:16 a.m., Verona police pulled over Bruce Treleaven of Nutley, for using his cell phone. When checking his license police found out it was suspended and Treleaven had three warrants from Maplewood Municipal Court. He was arrested and released on bail.

March 9: At 10:53 a.m. police responded to a report of larceny at a business on Bloomfield Avenue where $1,000 of cash was stolen with no damage seen.

March 10: Verona police with the help of Cedar Grove and West Orange police arrested Steven Bertucci Jr, 20, of Verona, at 4:07 p.m. after several months of investigation. Bertucci was charged with 13 drug charges from possession to distribution. He was also charged with possession of a firearm while distributing. 

The police officers searched Bertucci's house in Verona and seized 97 presciption pills, including 2 xanax, 21 oxycodone along with 112 doses of steroids, 39 syringes, a loaded .32 caliber handgun, 49 rounds of .32 caliber bullets, 109 mm hollow-point bullets, $652 in cash and a switchblade.

Angelo Guido Jr, 21, of Verona, also was arrested with approximately 2.2 grams of cocaine.

March 11: Verona police responded to a dispute near Krauszers on Grove Avenue at 7:55 p.m. After speaking with several witnesses police determined the dispute was over a drug transaction and Michael Snyder, of Verona, and Steven Gesumaria were arrested.

March 12: Police found a license plate on Grove Avenue at 7:11 a.m. The owner was notified and picked it up from the police station. 

March 12: A business owner filled a report of harassment at 3:21 p.m. from a former customer who has been calling him repeatedly saying he owes her money.

March 12: Verona police arrested Melbert Downs of Newark at 4:20 p.m. on a warrant from Newark Municipal Court. During questioning Downs also confessed to stealing money from his employer earlier in the week. He posted bail and issued a complaint for the theft.

March 12: At 4:44 p.m. police responded to property damage on Pompton Avenue. The person said her car window was broken while parked. Police said it appeared to be from a rock being kicked up by another vehicle.

March 12: Police responded to a report of property damage at 6:13 p.m. where the person said his car was scratched on the bumper while being cleaned at the car wash.

March 13: At 1:44 p.m. police responded to person who fell on Hillside Avenue with Verona Rescue Squad. After being treated the person refused going to the hospital.

March 13: A resident on Personette Avenue reported identity theft to Verona police at 2:59 p.m. The resident said she has received several phone calls from mortgage companies. One of the callers said someone name “Andree” filled out an application with her number. The resident said she hasn’t filled out any mortgage application recently and was advised to run a credit report. 

March 13: Verona police responded to property damage to a car at 7:12 p.m. in Pilgrim Plaza where police said it appeared to be caused by a shopping cart.

March 13: At 8:48 p.m. Verona police reported to Pilgrim Plaza for a second report of property damage caused by a shopping cart hitting a vehicle. A witness said he saw two women take their groceries out of a cart and leave. After that the cart rolled into a parked car and continued rolling into traffic on Pompton Avenue.