By Karen Zautyk
A Paterson man who allegedly attempted to open a bank account in Nutley using fraudulent documents – including a fake Homeland Security permanent resident ID card- is now under federal investigation after his arrest by local police.
According to Nutley police, shortly after 4:30 p.m. May 6, Centre St. a Centre St. bank alerted them to the fraud try. When officers arrived, the suspect was leaving and reportedly refused their order to stop. Police said he fled on foot west on Centre, but was caught.
Arrested was 37-year-old Armando Valentin, who, police said, had presented the teller with a fake New York driver’s license, the fraudulent Homeland Security ID, altered Public Service and cable bills, as well as an altered notarized letter from Essex County.
Valentin was charged with forgery, wrongful impersonation, criminal simulation, obstruction of justice and resisting arrest. He was remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail.
Police have forwarded reports to the Department of Homeland Security for further investigation.
In other Nutley PD news: At approximately 6 p.m. May 11, police received a report that a 7-year-old boy standing in his driveway on Brown St. at Harrison St. was approached by an unknown adult male, who asked the child if he wanted candy or the man’s cell phone number. The man then allegedly attempted to grab the child, who ran into the house. The man fled in a dark-colored, four-door vehicle with a large dent on the front fender and a loud muffler.
The suspect was described as African-American, approximately 5-foot-10, of heavy build, wearing a black shirt with profanities written in brown letters on the front and back, blue jeans and white sneakers with stars on them.
Residents are asked to call police at (973) 284-4940 if they see any suspicious vehicles or persons fitting the above description or can provide any further information.
The rest of the Police Blotter for the week ending May 13 included, but were not limited to, the following:
May 6
A Coeyman Ave. resident reported unauthorized charges of nearly $2,000 on her credit card. Police are investigating.
A DeVausney Ave. resident also reported fraudulent credit-card charges, which were discovered when she went to their bank and found her account had been frozen. Charges were made as far away as California. Fraud investigators are looking into the matter.
A Prospect St. home was burglarized sometime between 7:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The owner came home and found a rear door open and the home ransacked. Anyone with information is requested to contact detectives at 973-284-4940.
May 7
At 3:30 a.m., a gold Jaguar was seen traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic on Rt. 21. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but it accelerated when he activated his emergency lights. A pursuit ensued, but police lost sight of the suspect in Newark.
At 10:30 p.m., police went to a River Road complex in response to a burglary to an auto. Witnesses reported seeing two black males enter a 2000 Blue Honda and steal a military-issue bag and a GPS valued at close to $900. The suspects fled in a red Audi, but not before a flower planter “accidentally fell from a balcony,” damaging the roof of the vehicle. The bag was recovered last Wednesday in a vacant lot on Summer Ave. in Newark, but the GPS and the Audi with flower-pot damage have not been found.
May 8
A Highfield Lane resident reported at 9:30 a.m. that there had been an attempt to steal her vehicle from her driveway overnight. The keyhole on a door had been damaged and contents of the vehicle had been stolen. Another vehicle parked in the same driveway also was burglarized.
Police responded to a motor vehicle accident on Park Ave., where a 2000 wagon struck a 2008 Acura. The wagon driver told police that a can of baby formula had fallen out of a grocery bag and rolled under her brake pedal, making her unable to stop.
Police went to a local convenience store when a customer got into a dispute with the manager. She said she purchased a magazine and after leaving decided to return it because of the cost. The manager advised it was not store policy to return money for reading material, and an argument ensued. She was ultimately given a refund.
May 9
At 5:42 a.m., police found a small shih tzu on Whitford Ave. and transported it to an area animal shelter.
At 12:46, police responded to a Ridge Road home after an 81-year-old man fell from his roof. He was conscious but complaining of difficulty breathing and of back pain and he had suffered a laceration to his head. He was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
May 10
At 8:20 a.m., 2009 GMC Arcadia was reported stolen from a Jackson St. driveway overnight.
A Homer St. resident that reported roof racks had been stolen from his 2007 Acura overnight.
A Nutley resident came into Headquarters to report that an order for a high-speed internet connection was made in the resident’s name for a residence in Irvington. The company contacted the victim for nonpayment and was advised that the victim did not order the service. The victim is in the process of clearing up the matter with the pertinent authorities.
In another incident, a Nutley woman received a call from an unknown person saying she owed more than $500 and if it wasn’t paid she would be reported to the FBI. The victim was also concerned because the caller had personal information. All three credit companies were contacted, along with the police and credit card authorities.
At 3:24 p.m., a 62-year-old woman was struck by a car vehicle as she crossed in the crosswalk on Centre St. She suffered an arm injury and was transported to a hospital.
May 11
After reading the Police Blotter regarding stolen lawn statues, a township resident, walking in the area of Spring Garden School, noticed a concrete dog and what appeared to be pieces of similar statues smashed in the walkway. The dog statue was brought to the residence of the theft victim, but it was not the same lawn dog. The statue is now in the evidence garage where its proper owners might identify it.
A Belleville resident, Joseph Roberts, 23, was taken into custody by Nutley detectives and charged with possession of CDS, possession of marijuana less than 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released with a summons.
May 12
Police responded to a Franklin Ave. location on a report of a child left unattended in a parked vehicle. The officer found a crying child, and a few moments later the father exited an establishment and told the officer the child had been sleeping and he didn’t want to wake him. Charges are pending.
At 4:30 p.m., a Harrison St. store manager reported that two women were observed shoplifting over-the-counter medication and putting it into their purses. He attempted to follow the women, who fled from the shop, leaving behind a basket of medication exceeding $700.
At 10:45 p.m., a Brookline Ave. man reported finding a single rose and a burning candle on his rear doorstep. He said he had no idea who would have left them, and police are investigating.
May 13
Guiseppi Marciglia, 35, of Naples, Italy, who was visiting relatives in Nutley was arrested for criminal mischief after he broke a $1,200 window at a Franklin Ave. establishment.
A Lloyd Court resident who reported finding his door open and a loaded handgun missing. Police are investigating.
