Faithful readers of the Kearny blotter will recall a recent report of a pair of alleged Wal-Mart shoplifters who led police on a Harrison Ave./Rt. 280 chase before the KPD wisely halted the pursuit due to icy road conditions.
Nevertheless, Kearny detectives were able to ID one of the suspects, Omar Greene, 18, of Newark, who was taken into custody in that city within two days.
Now, his alleged accomplice, the getaway driver, has been ID’d by Kearny detectives and a warrant issued for his arrest.
When apprehended, suspect Shakir Berrian, 19, of Newark, will be charged with eluding a police officer, among other offenses, Chief John Dowie reported.
Other recent reports from the blotter included the following:
March 29
At 6:40 p.m., P.O. Louis Moran responded to a complaint of a disorderly group at Dunkin’ Donuts on Kearny Ave.
At the site, the officer encountered Shaeed Epps, 35, an individual who has no known address but who did have an active arrest warrant from Elizabeth, police said. Epps was taken to headquarters and subsequently to a shelter in Hackensack, but it was not long before he resurfaced in Kearny. (Keep reading.)
March 30
Officers Chris Medina and Kevin Canaley responded to the 10:30 p.m. report of a three-car accident on Rt. 7 at the Wittpenn Bridge in South Kearny. Initially, police said, it was a two-car accident, but while the drivers were exchanging information, a third vehicle plowed into the rear of one of the halted cars.
The late arrival reportedly smelled of alcohol, had slurred speech and difficulty walking, and failed a field sobriety test. Arrested for alleged DWI was Peter Tuazon, 40, of Jersey City, who also was charged with reckless driving and DWI with a minor (his 10-year-old daughter) in the car.
March 31
At 8:15 p.m., P.O. Ben Wuelfing observed a car leave Gunnell Oval – which was closed at the time – and stopped it for a motor vehicle violation at Schuyler and Midland Aves. Police said the occupant tried to throw a bag of marijuana out of the car as it was stopping, but, as unluck would have it, the bag landed on and stuck to the roof.
Wuelfing arrested 20-yearold Esteban Ramsey of Harrison on charges of possession of pot and paraphernalia (rolling papers), possession of a CDS in a motor vehicle and being in a town park after hours.
• P.O. John Fabula was eastbound on Harrison Ave. near the U.S. Postal facility at 8:50 p.m. when he saw a westbound car swerving wildly and driving against the flow of traffic. To prevent a possible head-on accident with a civilian vehicle, Fabula straddled both lanes with the patrol car, bringing the other auto to a halt. The driver, Mikey Cortez, 45, of Kearny, was charged with DWI and careless driving.
• Starting at about 9:30 p.m., KPD headquarters began receiving “numerous” calls about a green Chevy Camaro being driven erratically through town, mostly on Kearny Ave. “He’s all over the road,” and “He’s gonna kill someone,” callers reported.
P.O. Sean Kelly responded to Kearny and Stewart Aves., where the Camaro had apparently hit a parked car. Meanwhile P.O. Jay Ward spotted the vehicle in question stopped at the curb on Seeley Ave., its driver’s door open, headlights on and engine running.
A man who was attempting to pull himself from the auto subsequently failed the field sobriety tests. Bruno Flores, 48, of Kearny, was charged with DWI, DWI in a school zone, refusal to take a breath test and leaving the scene of an accident.
April 3
P.O. Brian Wisely, on patrol at Elm St. and Midland Ave. at 6:30 p.m., was using his mobile computer to randomly check passing vehicles when up popped a 1984 Chevy pickup, which data showed was owned by someone who had both a suspended license and active warrants. The officer confirmed all this and took into custody Mark Ferreira, 32, of East Newark, who, police said, was wanted by Belleville and Westfield.
April 4
Another motorist allegedly driving with a suspended license was nabbed at 10 p.m. after a random vehicle check by P.O. Jack Corbett at Passaic Ave. and Belgrove Drive. The driver, 34-year-old Newark resident Vladimir Asseauguste, was also charged with failure to provide proof of insurance and registration.
• P.O. David Rakowski responded to Wal-Mart at 4 p.m. on the report of an employee stealing money. Arrested for theft was Ashley Cleveland, 23, of Newark, who allegedly had taken a total of at least $1,400 over several occasions.
April 5
Employees attempting to enter a professional building at Kearny and Elizabeth Aves. at 8 a.m. called police when they encountered a trespasser sleeping on the property. P.O. Adriano Marques arrived to find Shaeed Epps (See March 29), who had made his way back from the shelter in Hackensack to which police had taken him and was now wanted by Newark on a disorderlyconduct warrant. Epps was transported to Kearny HQ and turned over to the Newark PD.
– Karen Zautyk
