In Verona: Stolen Car / Scrap Metal Theft / Fraudulent Bill / Attempted Burglary / Found iPhone

Editor’s Note: The following incidents are reprinted directly from the Verona 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.

8/24/2015

3:01 PM - Officer Mike Barone took a report of a fraud from a Pease Avenue resident. The resident reported she had been contact by Comcast regarding an overdue bill. The address for the bill was not the resident’s. It was determined that an account was opened using the resident’s information. After speaking with Comcast the account was closed. The resident was provided with identity theft information.

3:05 PM - Officer Conroy took a report of an attempted burglary from a Westover Road resident. The resident reported that the weather stripping and a screen on a rear window had been removed. No entry was made into the residence.

3:40 PM - Officer Robert Juliano took a report of a customer dispute at a Bloomfield Avenue business. The customer was requesting a refund of a deposit and the business was refusing to make the refund as it was non refundable. All parties were advised of complaint procedures and that this was a civil matter.

7:01 PM - Officer Juliano took a report of found property from a Dodd Terrace resident. The resident reported finding an IPhone on Sampson Drive. The owner was identified and the phone was returned.

8/25/2015

7:02 AM - Officer John Lecreux was dispatched to a possible motor vehicle accident at Bloomfield Avenue and Mt. Prospect Avenue. It was further reported that the vehicles had continued east on Bloomfield Avenue. The vehicles continued eastbound on Bloomfield Avenue into Glen Ridge where one of the vehicles crashed and the driver fled on foot. Officers from multiple agencies were able to apprehend the driver as well as the occupants of the second vehicle. Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from a Fellswood Drive residence.

7:27 PM - Office Steve Young took a report of a stolen bicycle from a Woodland Avenue resident. The bicycle was near the brook on Derwent Avenue when it was stolen. Value of the bicycle was approximately $1,100.

8/26/2015

7:11 PM - Officer Chris Scheper took a report of a found bicycle at a Grove Avenue business. The bicycle was turned over to the property officer.

8/27/2015

12:35 AM - Officer Brendan Huber conducted a motor vehicle stop on Bloomfield Avenue for an observed violation. While speaking to the operator the officer detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle. Officer Ruff asked the operator to step from the vehicle to perform field sobriety tests. After performing the tests the operator, Keith Burton of West Caldwell was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. After processing he was released to a friend.

4:07 PM - Officer Scheper took a report of a theft at a Pompton Avenue business. The resident reported several items of scrap metal were missing from the back yard. Further investigation by the officer revealed that the property owner had the items removed as he did not know who they belonged to. Value of the items is approximately $300 to $500.