In Verona: Burglary, Parking Dispute, Defiant Trespass, Identity Theft

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

5/15/2015

1:14 PM - Officer Erin McGarrity took a report of a dispute on Claridge Drive. The dispute was over a parking issue and all parties were advised of complaint procedures.

5/17/2015

10:49 AM - Officer John Lecreux took a report of found property on Bloomfield Avenue. The owner was contacted and picked up his property.

11:57 PM - Officer Lecreux responded to the area of Glen Road on a suspicious motor vehicle. While checking the area he discovered two vehicles had been entered on Afterglow Avenue. Officers were unable to locate the suspicious vehicle.

2:21 PM - Officer Anthony Condorelli took a report of found property in Verona Park.

5/18/2015

5:14 PM - Officer Chris Scheper responded to a report of a male soliciting on Woodland Avenue. The subject was located and it was determined that he was the same individual who had been warned several times not to solicit without a permit. Upon speaking to a resident in the area they reported that the male had returned to their house after being warned by police to stay away. The resident also felt the questions he was asking were inappropriate and not related to the business he was soliciting for. The subject, Jonathan Smith of Spring Valley NY was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. After processing he was issued a summons for defiant trespass and released from custody.

6:06 PM - Officer Thomas Conroy took a report of a fraud from a Linn Drive resident. The resident reported that a male contacted him via a mobile app asking him if he wanted to make “fast money”. The resident then continued messaging this male and ended up giving the male information for his bank account. The resident was advised to contact this bank and was provided with identity theft information.

5/19/2015

5:30 AM - Officer Robert Juliano responded along with the Verona Rescue Squad to a report of an injured person on Linn Drive. After treatment for a knee injury the victim was transported to Mountainside Hospital.

5/20/2015

4:56 AM - Officer Brendan Huber checked an occupied vehicle that was parked on Woodland Avenue. While speaking with the occupants it was discovered that the driver, Veronaica Gaines of Newark had a suspended license as well as an active warrant from the East Orange Municipal Court. She was placed under areest and transported to headquarters. After processing she was releasd with a court date for Verona and East Orange Municipal Courts.

4:18 PM - Officer Justin Nielsen took a report of a fraud at a Bloomfield Avenue Business. The store attendant reported that a customer had made a purchase with a Visa Gift Card and then gave the card to another customer in the store. The second customer then gave the attendant the same card to make a purchase. When asked for identification the male gave his id to the attendant. The attendant then contacted police as he felt the card was fraudulent. The customers left the store when they were advised that the police were responding. Upon checking with Visa it was confirmed that the card was fraudulent.

5/21/2015

11:06 PM - Sgt. David Wardrope took a report of a burglary from an Afterglow Avenue resident. The resident reported a black male entered his rear kitchen door. When the male saw the resident he left through the rear door and fled the area. Patrols checked the area but were unable to locate the actor.