Monthly RPD Reports can be found here. New: October Activity Report
This is Rutherford publishes incidents that the public may find interesting or informative. The Blotter represents a small fraction of the total calls the RDP responds to regularly. The following information was provided to TIR by the Rutherford Police. All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Incidents involving juveniles will not be published.
Saturday, November 23 - Suspicious Vehicle, Jackson Ave
At approximately 5:25 pm a driver called 911 to report a vehicle had been traveling in front of him near Jackson and West Erie Ave with the rear windshield smashed, rear tail light out and there appeared to be an occupant in the back who “oddly waved at him.” He got the license plate of the 2011 four-door Toyota which RPD traced to being registered in Lyndhurst. RPD checked the area and the vehicle was gone on arrival. The RPD contacted Lyndhurst PD to follow up.
Friday, November 22 - Theft, Walter Court
A caller reported an unknown party removed a package valued at $650 from his doorstep. On November 21 at approximately 9:48 pm he discovered the open package on his doorstep with the contents removed. On the day in question he was expecting a delivery through grailed.com . He called PayPal as the item was insured and was advised to obtain a police report.
Friday, November 22 - Dispute, Orient Way
At approximately 1:20 pm an employee at Brothers Hardware reported a crew that had a permit to film in the area was on the store’s property without authorization. The crew was advised to vacate and did so without incident.
Thursday, November 21 - Narcan Administered, Chestnut Street
At approximately 4:51 pm a caller reported her boyfriend suffering a medical episode possibly from taking drugs. Officers dispatched administered Narcan 3 times prior to the arrival of the ambulance.
Thursday, November 21 - Burglary, East Pierrepont Ave
A 56 year old female reported that while her 2009 Kia was parked in her driveway the vehicle was entered by an unknown party. She stated that she had parked it on Tuesday, November 19 at 7 pm and observed it had been entered on November 20 at 6 am. Contents were thrown about the car and the interior light was on. She did not contact RPD immediately because she and her husband went through it first to determine whether other items were stolen. She did not lock her vehicle.
Wednesday, November 20 - Burglary, Sylvan Street
A 32 year old owner of a 2018 Dodge Durango reported an unknown party took her wallet while the car was parked in her driveway between 2 pm on November 19 and 7:30 am on November 20. She was not aware whether she had locked it and the wallet was sitting in plain view on the passenger seat. No evidentiary value could be gained because she had touched her car.
Wednesday, November 20 - Motor Vehicle Theft, East Pierrepont Ave
A 32 year old owner of a 2008 Chevy Trailblazer reported his vehicle stolen sometime between 7:00 pm on November 19 and 1:20 pm on November 20. The vehicle was recovered in Newark at approximately 6:30 pm parked on a street in front of a residence. The owner had left the key fob in the vehicle.
Wednesday, November 20 - Burglary, Orient Way
A 64-year-old owner of a 2017 Lexus reported someone entered her vehicle on November 19 and stole 2 bank account books while the car was parked outside of Blue Foundry Bank. She left the car at 4:05 pm and came back at 4:25 pm after completing her banking business and observed that the books, which were left in plain view on the passenger seat missing. The doors were unlocked.
Wednesday, November 20 - Burglary, Sylvan Street
While investigating another vehicle theft, Officer Merli noticed the interior lights in a nearby 2008 Toyota Rav 4 were on and it was confirmed by the owner that an unknown party entered the vehicle. The owner had received a text message from a neighbor at 5:24 am stating her lights were on but didn’t look at that time. The owner was unsure if any items were stolen, but allowed the vehicle to be processed and would notify RPD of anything stolen.
Wednesday, November 20 - Burglary, Addison Ave
A 39-year-old woman reported her 2017 GMC Yukon had been broken into overnight and cash stolen. She parked the vehicle in the driveway at approximately 7:30 pm November 19 and when she awoke at 5:30 am she observed the front driver’s side door slightly open. Missing was $500 cash in a rubber band in the center console. Also missing was a credit card. She stated she was in the habit of locking her doors but there was no visible damage that would suggest forceful entry. She used the car prior to contacting RPD so no evidentiary value could be gained.
Tuesday, November 19 - Simple Assault, Park Ave
At approximately 8:33 pm a 31-year-old male from Rutherford called 911 to report that he was punched by a woman on Park Ave. He stated he was walking south on Park Ave when he was approached by three people with multiple bags. He said “excuse me” and tried to pass them but the suspect started yelling and cursing and punched him in the face. The suspect was described as a black woman. RPD located the party walking southbound on Park Ave towards the Post Office. The suspect was identified as an 18-year-old female with a last known address of Milton Court dorms at Felician University. The accused said she felt threatened after the victim shoved her and threw his shoulders into her. She reported feeling she’s been falsely accused and was advised to speak to Social Services. The man complained of pain but had no visible injuries. He was transported to a hospital.
Tuesday, November 19 - Suspicious Person, Chestnut Street
At approximately 3:39 pm a 45-year-old female reported a suspicious person on her property. She reported that as she pulled into the driveway of her two-family home, two black females asked her if she would donate to homeless teens and if they could pitch a tent on her front lawn. After a brief discussion, the girls walked toward Union Ave, which is when the woman called RPD. RPD spoke to the party, two 18-year-old females and one 18-year-old male after they returned to the house with duffel bags and belongings. One 18-year-old female stated she chose that house because it looked approachable. The party was given a courtesy ride to the train station. No further assistance was needed.
Monday, November 18 - Attempted Burglary, Union Ave
A 53 year old female reported someone attempted to break into her apartment between leaving at 6:55 am and returning at 6:15 pm. When she returned, she had trouble entering the apartment and then noticed paint chips on the floor. The door and lock seemed jammed. RPD confirmed her suspicions as the door appeared to have been kicked but no entry was gained and nothing missing. She stated that she and other tenants in the building had been having issues with one gentleman in particular who may have kicked the door. Neighbors heard nothing.
Monday, November 18 - Suspicious Person, Sylvan Street
A 64-year-old female reported a male party rang her doorbell several times over several days but she never answered it. She reported the party had just left 5-10 minutes prior to calling RPD, wearing a hoodie and walking north on Sylvan Street. RPD found a female party in the area who said she was soliciting for Momentum Solar from Metuchen. She was notified of the ordinance for permits.
Sunday, November 17 - Suspicious Person, Park Ave
At approximately 2:24 pm a caller reported a party asking for money outside the European Wax Center on Park Ave. RPD located the party who denied asking for money but was simply inquiring about local churches. She refused to provide any information except that she may have at one time lived in Orlando, Florida and that she’s 39 years old. She left the area by boarding a bus to Newark.
Sunday, November 17 - Criminal Mischief, Sunderland Ave
At approximately 9:55 am a caller reported their house had been “egged” for the second time. Upon RPD's arrival the complainant's son stated that four of his friends’ homes had also been vandalized. RPD spoke to the parties but no one knows who would have done this.
Saturday, November 16 - Dispute, Walnut Street
A 58-year-old resident called 911 to report a dispute between herself and her home health aid. Upon RPD's arrival, the home health aid reported the resident poured seltzer water on her. The resident confirmed she did pour seltzer on her. The complainant did not wish to sign a complaint at that time but wanted to receive payment for that day. The resident then became verbally abusive and yelled obscenities. The aid was advised how to file charges for failure to make payment for services rendered.
Friday, November 15 - Theft, Clark Court
A 47 year old female reported a credit card had been issued in her name without authorization. She had been alerted by Citibank of multiple charges made at 7/11 in Maplewood for $521.51, $504.91 and $504.95 at 4:05 pm, 4:09 pm and 4;10 pm respectively and another charge of $1225.12 at the Apple Store at Garden State Plaza which had been immediately declined. The victim was able to dispute the first three charges, but Citibank advised she should file a police report.
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