Police Blotter

January 20, 2012 – January 27, 2012

1/20/2012
2:40 PM - Officer Anthony Condorelli took a report of criminal mischief to a motor vehicle. The owner reports while the vehicle was parked in the Pilgrim Plaza, an unknown actor spray painted the side of the vehicle.

5:27 PM - Officer Dave Wardrope affected a motor vehicle stop on Cumberland Avenue. Investigation revealed that the driver, Tara Cutalo of Cedar Grove was driving with a suspended license and had an active warrant from Saddle Brook Municipal Court. Subject was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. After processing, subject posted bail and was released with a new court date.

1/21/2012
12:50 PM - Officer James Barry took a report of a dispute on Linden Avenue. The resident reported that his neighbors snow removal contractor was blowing snow onto his property. The contractor admitted that a small amount of snow did blow onto the neighbors property. All parties were advised of complaint procedures.

2:43 PM - Officer Joel Martin responded with the Verona Fire Department to a report of a chimney fire on Linden Avenue. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and no damage was reported to the residence.

1/22/2012
1:07 AM - Officer Erin McGarrity was dispatched to a report of a disabled vehicle on Bloomfield Avenue with the operator possibly asleep behind the wheel. The vehicle was located, and during a conversation with the operator, a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected. The operator, Elizabeth Jacobson of Verona, was arrested for driving under the influence. After processing, the subject was issued several summonses and released to a family member.  

3:32 PM - Officer Wardrope took a report of a suspicious person on Grove Avenue. Two subjects were observed by the front of a Grove Avenue residence taking pictures. Subjects described as a black male and a black female operating a light green 4-door vehicle.

1/24/2012
11:04 AM - Officer Joseph Ballantyne was dispatched to the area of Verona Park on a report of an elderly male walking with no shoes on and torn clothing. The individual was located and appeared to be disoriented. The Verona Rescue Squad was dispatched and transported him to the hospital.

3:05 PM - Officer Page Parsels responded to a Bloomfield Avenue business and took a report of property damage. An employee reported that her vehicle was keyed while parked in a designated area.

5:15 PM - Officer Paul Watkins took a report of a lost wallet from a Mt. Prospect Avenue resident.

1/25/2012
12:02 PM - Officer James Barry responded to a Chestnut Road residence and took a report of an attempted burglary. The resident found a window screen that had been cut in two places. One cut was approximately 16 inches long and another, perpendicular to the first, was approximately 8 inches long. The resident was unsure when the attempt was made.

1/26/2012
1:11 AM - Officer Ed Carattini responded to a Bloomfield Avenue restaurant and took a report of a larceny. A West Orange resident reported she placed her belongings and cell phone on a table when she arrived and now she noticed her cell phone was missing.

9:29 AM - Officer Bill Frazee responded to Mardi Gras on Bloomfield Avenue and took a report of a theft of a 55 Gallon drum of used cooking oil. The store owner made contact with their oil recycling company who stated they had not picked up the oil. 

9:42 AM - Officer James Barry took a report of a fraud from a Morningside Road resident. The resident reported selling an item on Craigslist for $350. The purchaser sent her a check for $3200 asking her to cash the check and return the difference to a person in California. While at the UPS store preparing to send the money to California, the store clerk advised her that this sounded very suspicious and that she should attempt to go to the bank and reverse the deposit of the check. 

9:48 AM - Officer Joel Martin took a report of property damage on South Prospect St. A tree branch had fallen causing damage to a parked vehicle.

11:12 AM - Officer Martin took a report of a lost wallet from a Cypress Avenue resident.

12:28 AM - Officer Anthony OConnor took a report of identity theft from a Hamilton Road resident. The resident reported that he had contacted the unemployment office about filing a claim, and was informed that there was already an open claim filed by an employee of a company in Alaska. The resident was provided with an identity theft guide and advised to follow up with the unemployment office. 

3:48 PM Officer Tim Banta took a report of a suspicious person on Franklin Street. The resident reported observing a Hispanic male wearing what appeared to be a police uniform walking down the street with a gun in his hand. The area was checked by Officers, but they were unable to locate the subject.