By Karen Zautyk
NUTLEY –
Vandalism to cars and property, scatterings of used hypodermic needles, burglaries and a muzzle-less dog were among the calls to which Nutley police responded in recent days. Those, and a plumbing problem. (Editor’s note: A plumbing problem? People, please.)
For the week ending Oct. 6, the Nutley PD blotter included, but was not limited to, the following reports:
Sept. 30
8:27 p.m. — Police called to a local pharmacy in response to a report of shoplifting arrested 22-year-old Brian Fernandez of Bloomfield, who reportedly had been observed on surveillance cameras removing a bottle of Robitussin from its packaging and leaving the store with the bottle. The bottle was later recovered in the restroom of a fast-food restaurant. Fernandez was issued a summons and released pending a court appearance.
10:24 p.m. — Police were called to a local festival, in response to an argument between a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old. The parent of the younger teen was on scene and was advised of his right to sign a complaint against the older youth on his son’s behalf.
11:32 p.m. — The owner of a Crestwood St. home reported that it had been burglarized and ransacked sometime between 5 p.m. and 11:30. Detectives are investigating.
Oct. 1
12:27 a.m. — Police resolved a landlord-tenant dispute over letting an exterminator enter the premises to treat a bed-bug infestation.
4:59 p.m. — Four juveniles notified police when they observed two hypodermic needles at the intersection of Brookfield and Passaic Aves. None of the children touched the hazardous needles. The officer reached out to the parents and commended the children.
Oct. 2
1:06 a.m. — Police following a speeding vehicle on Centre St. eventually stopped 62-year-old Gregory Eimer as he was attempting to pull into his driveway on Columbia Ave. Eimer was reportedly slurring his words and fumbling with his documents. He was subsequently arrested for DWI and refused to provide a breath sample. His vehicle was impounded and he was later released to a responsible friend.
9:58 a.m. — A Harrison St. resident reported that her 2009 Chevy had been burglarized overnight.
10:30 a.m. — Police were called when a man reported that another individual was photographing him and his dog. Apparently the photographer was trying to obtain proof that the dog was in public without a muzzle as ordered by the township judge.
Oct. 3
5:53 a.m. — Police were called to Windsor Ave. in response to a group of juveniles knocking over trash cans. By the time officers arrived, the youths had fled. A resident righted the cans and collected the trash.
3:22 p.m. — A Nichols Park clubhouse was found vandalized; the side of the building was covered in graffiti. This was on the heels of several other town clubhouses recently vandalized.
5:18 p.m. — A Newark woman leaving a doctor’s office on Franklin Ave. came out to find her 2009 Chevy keyed from front to back with the letters FU scratched into paint.
8:33 p.m. — Police were called to Essex St. where a suspicious male was reported to be in a garage. Officers found Raymond Molina, 33, of Clifton reportedly in possession of several prescription medications with the labels torn from the bottles. Police said he could not provide them with a valid prescription and also had an active warrant out of Leonia for $500. Molina was charged with three counts of possession of prescription medication and was remanded to the county jail when he was unable to post 10% of the $10,000 bail.
Oct. 5
7:34 a.m. – A Whitford Ave. resident reported that their 2010 Lexus had been stolen from the driveway. Apparently, the suspects used the Lexus to first push another vehicle out of the driveway and then drove across the lawn.
10:09 a.m. – Police responded to a call from North Road regarding a 2010 Acura that had been entered. Nothing appeared to be taken, but the contents of the glove box were spread over the inside of the car.
1:10 p.m. — Police secured St. Mary’s Place and removed a broken syringe that was found lying in between the sidewalk and roadway.
2:48 p.m. – A Washington Ave. business reported the disappearance of a hand polishing machine and a dealer license plate.
4:14 p.m. — Garbage was illegally dumped in the park adjacent to Florence St. A black SUV had reportedly backed into the property and then fled. The owner was mailed a township ordinance violation.
7:51 p.m. – A resident of Underhill Court reported that the front windshield and front side window of their vehicle had been smashed. There were some tools left in the yard that may have been used to create the damage.
Oct. 6
2:25 a.m. – Police responded to Gerard Road on a hazardous-condition report. The homeowner’s toilet was overflowing. The officer was able to shut off the water to the toilet and the homeowner was advised to contact a plumber in the morning.
7:37 a.m. — An Underhill Court resident reported that they heard a noise about 8:15 the previous night and woke to find their 2006 Honda’s windows smashed. The vehicle was parked in the driveway. Police are investigating..
4:39 p.m. — A vehicle parked in a Whitford Ave. driveway was found to have been burglarized and several items stolen.
4:44 p.m. — A Capolla St. resident reported their 2010 Hyundai was keyed front to back. Police are investigating.
