March 28
Police are investigating the theft of industrial pallets from the property of a Franklin Ave. business. The owner called police at 2:34 p.m. to report that after hearing noise from behind the outside door, they checked and spotted two males removing the pallets on the side of the building. The pallets had been stacked there for pickup by a carrier company, the owner told police. Responding officers got a description of the getaway car and are working on the case.
At 4:01 a.m., police on patrol came across an unoccupied parked vehicle with its hazard lights flashing and a man on the sidewalk. The man told police he was looking for wires to collect for scrap and nearby was a single length of Christmas lights. A computer check revealed that the man, Steven Calvitto, 22, of Nutley, was wanted on two active warrants from Phillipsburg. After Calvitto posted bail, he was advised to check in with Phillipsburg Municipal Court for appearance dates.
March 26
An employee of a local business was arrested on a theft charge at around noon. Police said Dena Dufault, 37, of West Orange, took a sealed prescription bottle containing 100 pills of a narcotic listed as a schedule IV manufactured medication. Dufault was charged with theft, distribution of drugs, possession of drugs, possession within 1,000 feet of a school and possession within 500 feet of a park. Police said Dufault also had outstanding warrants from Bloomfield, East Orange and Pequannock. Dufault was taken to Essex County Jail on $20,000 bail with a 10% cash option.
March 25
An individual came to headquarters at 3:05 p.m. to report a possible fraud. They told police that they received a letter announcing they had won $50,000 but would have to send $475 to cover costs. Police advised them not to do so since it appeared to be a scam.
March 24
A Kingsland St. resident called police at 4:14 p.m. to report an act of criminal mischief. The resident told police that while out walking the dog, someone had drawn a representation of the male anatomy in green spray paint on the side of their home. Police said they had no leads at this time.
At 11:35 a.m. police responded to a Nutley Ave. residence on a report of a dispute. At the location, police said they found a lamp thrown to the floor and the living room in disarray. They said they also found two syringes and five “folds” containing trace amounts of suspected heroin among the occupant’s belongings. After the substance tested positive for heroin, police arrested Michael Suppa, 21, of Nutley, on charges of possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of two syringes.
At 6:43 a.m., police responded to an Evelyn Place location where a resident reported finding a bag with three decapitated chickens. Police disposed of the dead fowl.
March 23
Police went to a Maple St. location at 2:35 p.m. on a report of criminal mischief. There, the victim told police that during the night, their vehicle, a blue Chrysler, had been dented above the driver’s side rear tire by a rock which may have been thrown by youths standing on top of the railroad tracks next to the victim’s house. Police said they had no suspects at this time.
— Ron Leir
