4/1/2024 12:07 PM, (Criminal Mischief / Arrest)
The Municipal Clerk reported damage to a television monitor in the Town Hall lobby. Detectives reviewed surveillance video and observed a female party spit on the television and then tear wires from the back of the set. Detectives located a license plate and identified a 41-year-old female from Elmwood Park. The actor was charged on a summons.
4/2/2024 1:25 PM, (Commitment - Mental Health)
A caller from an Essex Street convenience store reported a male party requested he contact the police for him. Responding officers located a 44-year-old homeless male, who was undergoing a mental health crisis, he was committed to a local hospital.
4/3/2024 1:32 AM (Welfare Check)
A caller from Central Avenue reported his wife was drinking and when she drinks she becomes aggressive. This report was made and the report noted that he does not need police assistance. Responding officers were met by the uncooperative caller who refused entry to the home. All appeared in order and the officers recorded the information.
4/3/2024 5:23 PM, (Breach of Peace)
A caller reported a dispute in the parking lot of a Parkway medical facility. Responding units found an EMS crew arguing with a patron. The patron refused to move his vehicle to allow ambulance entry because he believed there was "enough room". The EMTs disagreed, and patrol settled the dispute.
4/3/2024 6:03 PM, (Hazardous Condition)
A caller reported a tree fell into high tension wires on Hazley Avenue. Patrol located a downed tree and a power outage in the area. The RPFD and PSE&G were dispatched and several houses were evacuated. Utility crews rendered the area safe and power was restored after a number of hours.
4/5/2024 2:50 PM, (Breach of Peace)
A customer reported a dispute with an Essex Street auto body shop. The customer requested to remove a "totaled" vehicle, however, shop employees refused to release the vehicle. A patrolman determined the vehicle owner signed paperwork to "junk" the vehicle, thus she was not entitled to it. Dispute was settled by police. Two hours later, the customer called stating she was locked out of the business. Patrol returned and advised that the matter was civil and should be addressed in civil court.
4/6/2024 11:45 AM, (Suspicious Person)
A caller on North Drive reported a male wearing all black urinated in his backyard and then ran westbound. Patrol located a female party on West Oldis Street who reported the male was her brother in law and he relieved himself in her yard because the house was locked. The urination did not occur in the complainants' yard, rather an adjacent property.
4/8/2024 10:36 AM, (Theft)
A loss prevention officer from a West Passaic Street supermarket reported a large amount of shopping carts were missing. A review of surveillance video revealed the carts, valued at $200 per unit, were stolen, and loaded into a cargo van. Detectives were assigned.
4/8/2024 5:16 PM, (Suspicious Occurrence)
A passerby reported a male party chasing a female party after exiting a red Mustang. A patrol Lieutenant located the vehicle and two occupants near Plaza Way. An on-scene investigation revealed a domestic assault occurred in Paramus. Paramus Officers took over the investigation.
4/9/2024 9:16 AM, (Breach of Peace)
A resident of West Passaic Street reported her adult son has anger issues and she requested he is removed from the apartment. Officers arrived on scene and found the 46-year-old son was upset because his mother opened window shades which awoke him. The son complied and left the area, police explained the restraining order process to the complainant.
4/9/2024 11:58 AM, (Auto Theft Recovery)
The property manager from a West Passaic Street office complex reported an abandoned vehicle. The vehicle, a Nissan Rogue, was damaged and found to be reported stolen out of Hawthorne. A Police Tow recovered the vehicle and notified the owner.
4/9/2024 2:55 AM, (Arrest - Adult)
Police received a report of shopping cart thieves returning to a West Passaic Street supermarket. Officers responded and located a red cargo van filled with shopping carts. Detectives arrested two suspects, a 77-year-old male from Elizabeth and a 54-year-old male from Newark. Each was charged with 3rd degree theft and receiving stolen property.
4/10/2024 10:09 AM, (Stolen Property)
Complainant walked in to headquarters to report a stolen license plate. The victim received a parking ticket and an EZ-Pass violation for a plate he no longer uses. All information was recorded and entered as stolen in NCIC.
4/11/2024 11:32 AM, (Fraud)
A West Passaic Street credit union reported mistakenly depositing $7,800 in a customer's bank account. The customer promptly withdrew the funds. The credit union discovered their error and contacted the customer. An agreement to repay the funds was met, however, the customer never fulfilled the agreement. The complainant was guided towards civil court.
4/11/2024 2:17 PM, (Suspicious Person)
The librarian reported a male party smoking marijuana near the municipal entrance. Patrol located a 45-year-old homeless male who reported utilizing a vape pen. He was advised of Township Code regarding smoking on municipal property and voluntarily left the area.
4/11/2024 9:08 PM, (Suspicious Occurrence)
A complainant from West Passaic Street reported a case of blackmail. An unknown social media account requested $300 in exchange for not posting nude photos of the victim. The victim could not recall if the photos were real or AI generated. The complainant was advised to block the account and report any further contact. No currency was exchanged.
4/11/2024 9:53 PM, (Assault - Arrest)
A caller reported a male party with a deep cut on his hand in the area of a West Passaic Street hotel. Patrol responded and could not locate the party. A short time later the hotel called stating the victim was bleeding in the lobby. Contact was made with a 22-year-old male from Paterson. The male claimed to be slashed by an unknown Hispanic male in the parking lot. The male was transported to a local hospital. Detectives were summoned to review surveillance footage and found the victims account to be false. The following morning officers located the "victim" in the same parking lot, arrested him, and charged the male with providing false reports to police. The reported "unknown suspect" in the parking lot was fabricated.
4/13/2024 3:08 PM, (Shoplifting)
On 4/12/2024 an Essex Street motorcycle shop reported a shoplifting that occurred on 4/5/2024. On the 12th, store employees stopped the suspect, a 38 year old male from Montclair, and requested he pay for grips stolen on the 5th. The male agreed and was asked to leave the store. As he walked out of the store the theft alarm rang. He was asked to walk through again and the alarm did not sound. On the 13th employees reviewed surveillance and found that the suspect once again stole a pair of motorcycle grips, despite paying for the grips he stole on April 5th. Complaints pending.
4/14/2024 12:44 AM, (Theft of Services)
The owner of a West Passaic Street Mexican restaurant reported a case of "dine and dash". A group of people ordered food and beverages, ran up a bill in excess of $200, and left without paying. Detectives utilized cameras to identify a license plate, and spoke to a family member of the suspects. The family member agreed to settle the tab and management accepted payment in lieu of criminal charges.
4/14/2024 4:42 PM, (Narcotics Arrest)
A motor vehicle stopped was conducted on Plaza Way for a seatbelt violation. The driver, 37-year-old male from Wallkill, NY, displayed signs of narcotic use and was found to possess heroin. A 35-year-old male passenger from New Hampton, NY, possessed an open criminal warrant from East Brunswick. Each was arrested and charged accordingly.
In addition, (16) suspicious persons/vehicles were vetted and (43) motor vehicle stops were conducted in a 14-day span.
A charge is not a conviction. All persons are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges can be amended or dismissed.