A patron who came out of the Nutley Starbucks on Franklin Ave. at 7:19 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20, got an unwelcome surprise when they found someone sitting in their vehicle, police said.
As the owner approached the car, police said the man inside drove away.
After being notified of the incident, police pursued and, eventually, caught up with the suspect, Kenneth McAteer, 34, of Nutley.
McAteer was arrested on charges of criminal mischief for damaging a marked police unit, resisting arrest by flight (running from police), resisting arrest, carjacking (first degree crime) and terroristic threats (third degree crime).
He was taken to the Essex County Correctional Facility after failing to make $100,000 bail, with no 10% option.
In other incidents logged during the past week by Nutley Police:
Aug. 22
The victim of an apparent fraud told police that when their son tried to withdraw money with their ATM card, he was told there were insufficient funds in the account, that money had been withdrawn from the account in the Dominican Republic. The account has been closed.
A Hancox Ave. resident called police at 1:31 a.m. after seeing someone trying to gain access to their vehicle in their driveway. Police said no entry was gained.
Aug. 21
At 5:57 a.m., a High St. resident called police to report that their kitchen window was open and some items that had been left on the kitchen table the night before were missing. Detectives are investigating.
Aug. 20
A Winthrop Drive resident reported that their Apple iPad was missing from their home. Police said there was no forced entry to the house. The incident was logged at 6:50 p.m.
Police received separate reports of two light poles being damaged during the night, one on Sylvan Place and another on Poplar Place.
At 9:06 a.m., police responded to a report of criminal mischief at a Prospect St. location. Police said pranksters are believed to have placed a chair in the front bushes of a neighboring home.
Aug. 19
Owners of two homes on North Road and Highfield Lane reported acts of criminal mischief to their properties. Police said that excessive amounts of toilet paper were spread on both properties.
Aug. 17
Criminal mischief to a parked truck was reported at a Warren St. location at 7:25 p.m. Police said all four tires were slashed, eggs had been thrown at the vehicle, and the truck had been keyed with the “FX 4” logo. Police said other vehicles parked nearby were untouched.
– Ron Leir
