Police Find Man Hiding In Wyckoff Garage After He Fled On Foot

Police found a New York man hiding in a Clinton Avenue garage after he ran away from them following a botched attempt to buy $600 worth of gift cards from CVS, authorities said.

The store manager reported to police shortly after 3 p.m. Monday that Daniel L. Cromwell, 29, tried to purchase three, $200 gift cards and the credit cards he was using were not clearing, said Police Chief Benjamin Fox.

Cromwell told the manager he would go out to his car to get another card and while outside, the manager called police, Fox said.

Patrolman Ryan Noon was at the scene before the Cromwell re-entered the store; Cromwell saw Noon, tried to hide the wallet inside the car’s bumper, and ran away, authorities said.

Cromwell’s flip-flops came off while he was running and continued to run away, barefoot; he went missing but was found later on hiding in a Clinton Avenue garage, Fox said.

Cromwell was in possession of 13 fraudulent credit cards with his name but other peoples’ credit card information on them, police reported.

Cromwell was charged with possession of the 13 fraudulent credit cards, possession of stolen property, obstruction of justice, resisting arrest, and criminal trespass. He was transported to the Bergen County Jail in default of $37,500 in bail, Fox said.

Cromwell has a long history of arrests for fraud in both New York and Georgia, police reported.