By Karen Zautyk
NUTLEY – A Paterson motorist who allegedly attempted to run over a police officer in that city was arrested last week with the help of Nutley law enforcement after leading cops on a chase from Paterson into Nutley and then Clifton.
Police said that at 1:22 a.m., Sunday, May 22, a Nutley officer picked up a pursuit
of the vehicle, being chased by Paterson PD, after he observed it being driven recklessly at Kingsland St. and Passaic Ave.
The auto headed into Clifton, police said, where it collided with another vehicle at Brook Ave. and River Drive, injuring the four occupants of the second car.
Arrested was Christian Pagan, 34, of Paterson, who was charged with eluding
officers along with moving violations in Nutley. In Paterson, police said, he faces charges of aggravated assault on an officer.
The four accident victims were transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic for treatment.
Pagan was being held on $50,000 bail.
Other recent items on the Nutley PD blotter included, but were not limited to, the following reports:
May 20
An Edison Ave. resident fell victim to a fraud when a caller advised her that her
grandson had been involved in a DWI accident in Canada and needed $970 wired via Western Union. The woman sent the money without question only to later find
out her grandson was home all the while.
Police urge residents not to send money or provide any personal information via the
phone or Internet without first checking with family members or the police.
May 21
At 1:30 a.m., police stopped a vehicle traveling 79 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver, Tomasz Dabrowski of Garfield, told the officer: “I’ll be honest with you. My license is suspended and I may have warrants.” Police said Dabrowski was found to be telling the truth and was transported to headquarters where he posted a $583 warrant out of Clifton, was issued a summons and released.
A burglary attempt was reported at 2:36 p.m. on Centre St. where a resident’s apartment door had reportedly been pried open and damaged. Police are investigating.
At 2:56 p.m., police responded to a Washington Ave. restaurant when a family luncheon turned into an assault. One woman allegedly threw a glass at another, who suffered a head laceration. Police advised the parties of their right to sign complaints.
At 8:44 p.m., police received a report of a woman lying on the sidewalk on Warren Ave. She was found to be intoxicated. Officers arranged to have a family member take custody of her.
May 22
At 4:46 a.m., officers observed two suspicious young men, one of whom, 23-year-old Vincent Rondinella of Nutley, was found to be wanted by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office. He was arrested and turned over to their custody.
At 10 a.m., a resident reported his vehicle had been entered and some valuable items taken while it was parked on Paterson Ave.
May 23
A Rhoda Ave. resident reported that a man was attempting to collect money in order to send $500,000 in sweepstakes winnings. The intended victim knew this
was a scam and contacted police.
A 6:30 p.m. traffic stop on E. Centre St. resulted in the arrest of 33-year-old Alondo
Sylvester of Irvington. Officers stopped his car for an inoperable taillight and then reportedly observed prescription medication in the vehicle. When Sylvester was unable to produce a prescription, he was charged with possession and the vehicle was impounded.
May 24
At 12:30 a.m., a traffic stop led to the arrest of Sergio DeGiacomo, 19, of Belleville for an outstanding warrant out of Nutley. He was issued summonses, posted bail and released.
At 8:30, police took a report from the Parks Department that three juveniles were throwing rocks and debris at ball players on Owens Field. Police contacted all sets of parents. Charges are pending.
Police responded to a Walnut St. residence when the homeowner returned at 2:20 p.m. to find the back door kicked in. Neighbors reported hearing a loud bang about a half-hour earlier. Essex County Sheriff’s K9 units were called to the scene and picked up a scent trail that took them to Washington Ave. before it was lost. The home had been ransacked. Detectives are investigating.
At 5:24 p.m., police answered a 911 call from a woman who said she was trapped in her Jeep Wrangler at Franklin Ave. and Kingsland St. After she refused a man’s request to clean her windshield, he reportedly jumped on the vehicle, causing significant damage. Police arrested 50-year-old Kenneth Sampson of Bloomfield and charged him with criminal mischief and terroristic threats. He was released after posting the required 5% on $50,000 bail.
May 25
At 9:19 a.m., a motorcycle was reported stolen from a driveway on San Antonio Ave.
At 9:27, police went to a Passaic Ave. complex in response to a complaint of a vehicle parked in an assigned spot. It was discovered that the 2003 Jeep had been stolen out of Belleville. The vehicle was impounded and stored by the police for processing.
At 4:14 p.m., there was another rock-throwing incident, this one at a Franklin Ave. business where two juveniles broke a front window. Police were unable to locate the culprits.
May 26
A Clement St. resident fell victim to an Internet fraud when attempting to purchase a vehicle out of Florida. The victim, thinking an e-Bay account to be legitimate, wired $9,300 to the seller. After sending a confirmation email, the seller asked for an additional $5,580, which the Nutley resident sent before becoming suspicious. Police are urging residents not to provide personal information or send money or account information to anyone without first verifying the legitimacy of the recipient.
