Nutley Police were called to Washington Ave. on June 13 on a dispute and when they arrived, a victim told them a man she didn’t know and who had been acting “suspicious” allegedly reached into her car and took a large amount of cash from her pocketbook, the Nutley Police Department said.
When the victim realized her money had been stolen, she was able to make contact with the suspect and get some, but not all of her money back. The victim then gave the man’s phone number to police, who said they were unable to get in touch with him.
Police said they left a message on the suspect’s voicemail and advised him to contact Nutley police. The victim, police said, was told she could press charges in Nutley Municipal Court the next business day, but it is unclear whether she did.
In other incidents, the Nutley Police Department reported the following:
June 13
A motor vehicle stop on Bloomfield Ave. resulted in the arrest of Alexis Franco, 23, of Bloomfield, on an outstanding warrant out of Mount Olive Township. Franco was transported to headquarters without incident. Police said she was also issued two Nutley summonses for view obstruction and failure to provide a valid insurance card and was released on her own recognizance.
June 14
• A victim told police their car was broken into on Raymond Ave. Upon arriving at their car that morning, they said they noticed the glove compartment was open as well as the center console — and papers were thrown about inside the vehicle. Missing were the vehicle’s registration card, insurance card, owner’s manual and $2.25 in loose change. The victim told police the vehicle was unlocked while it was parked. There was no damage to the vehicle.
• Officers responded to a Harrison St. store that had reported a shoplifting incident. An employee of the business told police two males walked into the store and went straight to the back. From there, police said the two split up after seeing the store manager in a nearby aisle.
One of the suspects was seen throwing something, then briskly walking toward the front door, police said. The two then left the building and were observed getting into a vehicle. An empty box was found and the missing items were believed to have been pocketed by the suspects before they left the store without paying.
The manager was advised of their right to sign a complaint with the court.
• Officers responded to Adams St. on a report of criminal mischief. Upon arrival, officers said they spoke to a resident, who said they found the tires on the passenger side of their vehicle were low. The victim filled the tires up with air, but returned later to find the tires low again, police said. After closer inspection, each tire was found to have a puncture mark.
June 15
• While on patrol on Adams St., officers were advised by a woman that the door leading to the common hallway of her building appeared to be broken. Officers made contact with the building’s superintendent, who responded to the location to check the door.
• A Montclair Ave. resident told police a vehicle nearby had a smashed window. Police said they were called to find the owner. When the vehicle’s owner was located, he told police nothing appeared to be stolen.
June 17
• Officers responded to Franklin Ave. on a criminal mischief to auto complaint. Police said they found a 6-inch scratch on the driver’s side.
• An E. Centre St. resident told police they’d paid their rent using a drop box, but that the management company never got the payment. The Detective Bureau has been notified and surveillance footage is being downloaded for further investigation.
• A suspicious person seen fleeing near the rear of police headquarters was arrested on an outstanding warrant, police said. During a brief interview, police said the man initially gave them a false name.
Upon further investigation, Samir Bryant, 20, of Montclair, was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Caldwell. Bryant was charged in Nutley with hindering apprehension, which was placed on a warrant.
The deputy court administrator set bail at $500, with no 10% option. Bryant was transported to the Essex County Jail when he couldn’t post the bail, police said.
June 18
Nutley police aided Clifton police when they reported three armed men fleeing a robbery — and were last seen on River Road. Nutley officers learned the three men entered the LaQuinta Hotel. A contingent of officers from Nutley, Clifton, Bloomfield and Bergen County surrounded the hotel and eventually apprehended the three men who were holed up inside.
– Kevin Canessa Jr.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.