In Verona: Man With Syringe, Fall Injury On Fairview Avenue, Craigslist Scam, Damaged Street Signs, Business Dispute, DWI

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.

7/4/2015

12:12 PM - Officer Justin Nielsen reported observing damage to several township street signs in the Linden Avenue area of town. The value of the damage is unknown at this time.

7:42 PM - Officer Mike Barone conducted a motor vehicle stop on Afterglow Avenue for an observed violation. Upon checking the operator drivers license a warrant was found from the Paterson Municipal Court. The operator Dianne Dimodica of Clifton was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. After processing she posted the bail and was released.

7/5/2015

9:50 AM - Officer Joe Ballantyne took a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle from a South Prospect Street resident. The resident reported his vehicle was entered sometime during the overnight hours. Reported missing at this time is a black wallet.

3:02 PM - Officer Scheper responded to a Claremont Avenue business on a report of a person possibly using drugs in the rest room. Upon arrival in the parking lot the officer observed a male matching the description given by the caller. The officers observed the male take a plastic tube with an orange cap from his pocket and place it into the trash can. Upon speaking with the male he admitted to placing the syringe in the trash can. The subject also stated to the officer that he had drugs in his wallet. The subject, Thomas T. Lorenzo of Verona, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. He was processed and charged with Possession of a hypodermic syringe and Possession of Prescription Legend Drugs.

8:29 PM - Officer Thomas Conroy responded along with the Verona Rescue Squad to a report of a person who fell on Fairview Avenue. After treatment for a head and arm injury the victim was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital.

7/6/2015

3:04 PM - Officer Steve Young took a report of property damage on Grove Avenue. A large truck turning into a business caused damage to a concrete post and sidewalk. Value of damage is unknown at this time.

7/7/2014

6:31 PM - Officer Young took a report of lost property from a White Rock Road resident. The resident reported he lost his wallet which contained several credit cards and personal identification cards.

7/8/2015

10:18 AM - Sgt. Paul Watkins arrested Vincent Coppola of Union after he was sentenced to 10 days in the Essex County Jail by the Verona Municipal court. He was processed and then transported to the Essex County Jail in Newark.

2:39 PM - Officer Lecreux took a report of fraud from a Morningside Road resident. The resident reported selling an item on Craig’s list. The purchaser sent her a check for more than the amount of the purchase and requested she send him a MoneyGram for the difference. After cashing the check she was advised that this may be a scam and did not send any money in return.

4:45 PM - Officer Nielsen took a report of a dispute at a Bloomfield Avenue business. The dispute was between two patrons and one patron taking property which belonged to another. Officers spoke to both parties and all property was returned to the proper owners.

5:32 PM - Officer Lecreux responded to a Bloomfield Avenue location on a report of a male sitting in a vehicle who appeared ill. Upon speaking with the male the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. The operator was asked to step from the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests. After performing the tests the operator, Darren Klapper of Montclair was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters. After processing he was released to a family member.

8:08 PM - Officer Nielsen arrested Joseph McNally on an outstanding warrant form the Verona Municipal Court. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. After processing he posted bail and was released.