In Verona: Fraudster impersonates IRS, Stolen motorcycle, Home burglary

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.

3/28/2015

3:44 PM- Officer Justin Nielsen took a report of a fraud from a Stocker Road resident. The resident reported he filed his tax return and a few days later received a refund check. Several days later he received a letter from the IRS stating they were conducting a review of his return as they had received another return with the resident’s information. The resident has been in touch with the IRS and was provided with identity theft information.

6:40 PM- Officer Nielsen took a report of a suspicious person at an Ann Street residence. The resident reported a male came to the house and stated he was there to measure the driveway. The resident reported after measuring the driveway the male left the area. The resident did not have any work scheduled and was concerned why the male was there.

3/29/2015

10:56 AM- Officer Erin McGarrity took a report of a stolen motorcycle form a Pine Street resident. The resident reported he discovered the lock to his shed cut and the motorcycle missing from the shed. The motorcycle was entered as Stolen in the NCIC computer system

8:24 PM- Officer Nielsen took a report of a fraud at a Bloomfield Avenue business. The business owner reported that he was advised by his credit card service that several transactions at his business were made with fraudulent credit cards. The value of the purchases was $400.

3/30/2015

11:16 PM- Officer Alyssa Kirby took a report of a lost wallet from a Montclair resident. The resident reported that after returning home from a Pompton Avenue business he was unable to locate his wallet. He returned to the business to check if they had the wallet with negative results. The wallet contained several gift cards, debit card and a small amount of cash.

3/31/2015

3:44 PM- Officer Chris Scheper took a report of Property damage from a Bloomfield Avenue business. The business owner reported that his portable sign was struck by a vehicle. The business owner was able to provide a video from his security camera showing a silver vehicle strike the sign. Value of damage is approximately $500.

3:53 PM- Officer Steve Young took a report of a dispute from a Plainfield resident. The resident reported she gave a Verona resident a down payment for a vehicle that she was going to purchase from them. She stated after numerous attempts she has been unable to get the vehicle or a refund of her money. The officer spoke to the Verona resident who stated he would return the money by April 2. The Plainfield resident was advised of and agreed to this. She was also advised that this is a civil matter in the event that the money is not returned.

6:22 PM- Officer Thomas Conroy took a report of a burglary from a Crest hill Road resident. The resident reported she discovered several items of jewelry missing from her jewelry boxes, she also reported when she arrived home the previous day she discovered the front door was open. No damage was observed to the residence and the value of the missing items is unknown at this time.

4/2/2015

5:16 AM- Officers Alyssa Kirby and Brendan Huber responded to East Orange Police department to pick up Bryant Bookman on an outstanding warrant from the Verona Municipal Court. He was transported to police headquarters, processed and released after posting bail.

10:26 AM- Officer Joseph Ballantyne took a report of a lost wallet from a Mountain Road resident. The resident reported the wallet contained her NJ Drivers license, credit card and a small amount of cash. She was provided with identity theft information.

6:42 PM- Officer Young took a report of a fraud from an Elmwood Road resident. The resident reported receiving a phone call from a male who reported that they had a grant for her and she should call the number they provided and give a code which the caller also provided. When she called the number the phone was answered “Treasury” and she was advised that she should purchase a Visa pre-paid card. At this point the resident realized this was a scam and hung up the phone.