Recent Kearny Police Department blotters have contained a number of shoplifting reports, usually involving something like a wide-screen TV. This past week brought something else.
On Sept. 17, at 11 p.m., Officer Kevin Canaley was dispatched to a business on the 200 block of Kearny Ave. on the report of an internal theft. Management had confronted and detained an employee suspected of stealing.
Said employee, Shawn Tyler, 34, of East Orange, was allegedly found to be in possession of: eight cans of tuna, three Gatorades, two packages of cheese, brownies, Cream of Wheat, a can of nuts, cream cheese and, to ensure complete nutrition, a bottle of vitamins.
Tyler was arrested for shoplifting.
Other reports from the KPD blotter included the following:
Sept. 12
In an ongoing drug-distribution investigation, the Vice Squad had developed as a suspect a 28-year-old North Arlington resident. At 8:30 p.m. on this date, they observed him enter a car in that borough, followed it to Stewart Ave. and Morgan Place in Kearny and initiated a motor vehicle stop. In plain view in the vehicle, police said, was a plastic bag containing a significant amount of marijuana.
The suspect, Frank Leardo, was arrested, and a search of his apartment reportedly produced two more large bags of suspected pot, plus a digital scale. Leardo was charged with possession of the drug, of drug paraphernalia, and intent to distribute.
Sept. 15
Sgt. Charles Smith, on patrol at Kearny and Woodland Aves., at 2:30 p.m., observed a Kearny man whom he confirmed to be the subject of outstanding warrants: one from Kearny and two no-bail warrants out of West New York. Mathias Torres, 20, was arrested on same and taken to headquarters, and West New York authorities were contacted to take him into their custody.
Sept. 16
At 8 p.m., Sgt. Peter Gleason and Officers Chris Levchak, Sean Kelly and Jay Ward responded to a report of a woman screaming for help on the 400 block of Kearny Ave. The victim said she had been punched and that her assailant, whom she apparently knew, had run onto Maple St.
Levchak engaged in a foot pursuit from Maple to Liberty St. and back to Kearny Ave., where Gleason joined the chase, and the two finally caught the man near Brother’s Bakery. Police said the suspect tried to break away and had to be wrestled to the ground and cuffed.
Arrested was Angel Perez, 28, of Union City, on charges of simple assault, hindering apprehension and resisting arrest. Police said he also was wanted by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sept. 17
Officer Pat Becker was patrolling at Passaic and North Midland Aves. at 3:15 p.m. when he noticed someone concealed in the high grass at the railroad cut. Police said the man, Demetris Tullis, 42, of East Orange, could give no logical explanation for being there and a warrant check showed he was wanted by Irvington and also had a no-bail warrant from the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested on these, and the sheriff’s office was notified.
At 3:30 p.m., while dispersing a large group at Kearny Ave. and Afton St., Officer John Travelino recognized one individual as being wanted and confirmed that the 18-year-old had an outstanding warrant from Jersey City, police said. After being arrested, Reynaldi Domenech of Kearny was reportedly found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and was also charged on those counts.
At 5:45 p.m., at Bergen Ave. and Maple St., Officer Jay Ward completed the outstanding-warrant trifecta for the day, taking into custody 19-year-old Brandon Tice of Elizabeth, who police said was wanted by Seaside Heights.
Officer Pat Becker took a report at 6:30 p.m. from an 18-year-old Kearny resident who said he had been assaulted by another teen at Kearny Ave. and Afton St. When the victim took out his cell phone to call police, the assailant grabbed the phone and fled down the avenue. The area was searched, to no avail, and the victim declined medical attention. The case has been turned over to the Detective Bureau.
Sept. 19
At 7:30 a.m., Officer Tom Bannon conducted a motor vehicle stop on Rt. 7 and found that the driver, Daren Merrimon, 21, of Harrison, had a suspended license, plus two outstanding warrants from East Orange, police said. Merrimon was taken into custody.
— Karen Zautyk
