Incident reports from the Nutley Police Department for the week ending Sept. 14 included, but were not limited to, the following:
Sept. 9
9:49 a.m. – A Stratford Drive resident reported the front license plate stolen off their 2007 Toyota that was parked in their driveway.
12:22 p.m. – A truck traveling on Washington Ave. lost its load when a cable broke, causing the shipment (another cable) to fall onto the roadway. Traffic was slowed in both directions as township workers assisted in getting the heavy load back into the truck. No one was injured.
1:17 p.m. – Police responded to Hastings Ave. where an individual identified as Michael LaTorre, 21, allegedly assaulted a friend with whom he was staying. LaTorre was charged with simple assault and was later released.
7:56 p.m. – Joseph Randazzo, 23, of Nutley turned himself in to police to settle a $691 warrant out of New Brunswick. He posted the required bail and was allowed to leave without incident.
Sept.10
7:59 a.m. – A contractor who parks his vehicles on Park Ave. reported two of his trucks vandalized and burglarized. Police are investigating.
Sept. 11
1:42 a.m. – A 16-year-old was allegedly punched in the face by an 18-year-old while walking through Yantacaw Park. The victim was taken to an area hospital for evaluation. Parents of the juvenile were advised of their rights to sign a complaint.
6:48 a.m. – Police stopped an auto on Park Ave. for a motor vehicle violation and found the driver, 29-year-old Andrew Catala of Nutley, to have an outstanding Nutley warrant. Catala was arrested and posted the $200 warrant amount. He was also issued several summonses, including driving with a suspended license, improper maintenance of lights and not having a valid insurance card in his possession.
7:48 a.m. – A Weston St. resident reported someone had drawn lewd pictures on his driveway in chalk. Police are investigating.
3:57 p.m. – Police responded to a report of an ill juvenile in a local park. The youth reportedly had smoked what he believed to be synthetic marijuana, causing him to become sick. He was taken to an area hospital for evaluation. The juvenile reportedly could not recall where he obtained the marijuana.
Sept. 12
7:28 a.m. – Police took a report of graffiti sprayed all over the dugouts at the Hancox Ave. Little League field. Police are investigating.
8:13 a.m. – A report of a suspicious person on Whitford Ave. resulted in the arrest of Cesare DeSantis, 31, of Elmont, N.Y., on an outstanding warrant out of Edison. Edison officers assumed custody.
11:41 a.m. – A traffic stop of a motorist using a cell phone while driving on E. Centre St. resulted in a 1999 BMW being impounded as an unregistered vehicle.
10:40 p.m. – A motor vehicle stopped on Franklin Ave. with no headlights turned out to have expired registration and was impounded.
Sept. 13
5:24 a.m. – Police responded to Passaic Ave. and Centre St. in response to a trapped animal in a storm drain. The officer heard yelping but was unable to determine what type of animal was stuck. The Fire Department responded two times and eventually located and rescued a pet cat that was wedged in a storm line. The animal has been returned to its owner.
10 a.m. – A Franklin Ave. establishment reported a burglary by someone who gained entry through a rear door and stole money.
Detectives are investigating.
1:30 p.m. – Another Franklin Ave. business reported that a side window had been shattered. Police are investigating.
Sept. 14
5:12 p.m. – An officer checking vehicles parked on Passaic Ave. ran a plate that came back as being suspended. The owner on the scene also had a suspended license. The vehicle was impounded.
