Rock thrown at minivan: NPD

Nutley PD is investigating an attack on a vehicle that came on the heels of the driver parking on a local street.

Police said the incident was reported March 29 by a female resident who told them that she’d parked her minivan on Vreeland Ave., near Warren St.

Then, just after exiting her vehicle, a group of youths drove by and, as their vehicle passed, one of the youths threw a rock at the van, denting its rear door.

The woman was not hurt, police said.

At that point, police said, the vehicle turned onto a side street and left the area.

The three suspects were described as white males, with the driver listed as having blond hair and one of the passenger, brown hair, police said. No description was available for the third juvenile.

Police have a partial description of the vehicle but no plate number, according to Det. Sgt. Anthony Montanari.

Police are continuing an investigation of the incident. Police could provide no explanation for the attack.

• • •

Between March 28 and April 2, Nutley PD logged responses to 20 motor vehicle accidents, 12 disputes, 30 medical cases and these incidents:

March 28 

Officers patrolling along Kingsland St. observed a man standing in the bus stop on the north side of the block across from a restaurant, trying to conceal himself behind the bus stop stand while urinating on the ground. Police said James Harris, 60, of Union, turned out to be wanted by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. He was arrested on the warrant and transported to the Essex County Jail after alerting the county sheriff’s office.

• • •

After observing a white Toyota traveling south on Washington Ave. at a high rate of speed, change lanes without signaling and pass a vehicle on the right side, police pulled over the vehicle and discovered that the driver was wanted on a warrant from East Orange. Ramon Cruz of Newark was arrested on the warrant and also ticketed for driving while suspended. After posting bail, Cruz was released pending court appearances.

March 29 

Police came upon an occupied vehicle which, after checking, was found to contain an open container of alcohol and a burnt marijuana cigarette inside. Police issued the driver, Marco Castellanos, 19, of Woodbridge, Va., two summonses charging him with possession of an open, unsealed alcoholic beverage container and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle. He was also charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams.

• • •

A motor vehicle stop on Chase St. resulted in the arrest of Joseph A. Clay, 40, of Belleville, for an active warrant from Bloomfield. He was freed after posting bail, pending a court date.

March 30 

Officers responded to Adams Court on a report of a juvenile dispute. Upon arrival, the disputants had gone their separate ways, but the officers caught up with the pair. Both boys were treated for minor injuries and returned home, police said. The Juvenile Bureau will be following up.

March 31 

A resident reported being victimized by more than 30 unauthorized online charges, ranging from $20 to $50, and totaling $1,230, to a checking account, police said. Although the account has been suspended, police said there are still several additional charges pending.

April 1

A Nutley couple preparing to file their tax returns were informed by their tax preparer that their social security numbers appeared on an already filed 2014 tax return. The IRS has initiated a fraud investigation, police said.

***

A Satterthwaite Ave. resident reported the theft of a package left on their porch. The package, which contained children’s clothing, was valued at about $200. Police are investigating.

– Ron Leir 

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