NPD asks for help to solve thefts

Photo: NPD Suspect in bike theft captured on video footage.
Photo: NPD
Suspect in bike theft captured on video footage.

Nutley PD is appealing to the public for help in solving two separate thefts in the township.

The first, reported on April 27, involves a stolen credit card. Police said the victim told them they had last used the card at the Dunkin’ Donuts on Washington Ave., on April 17, but later found that two unauthorized charges had been made on the card, one at Dunkin’ Donuts and one, later in the day, at the Sports Authority in Clifton.

Police said it is unclear whether the card had been lost or stolen but, whatever the case, they said they have reviewed footage from the Dunkin’ Donuts surveillance camera showing a suspect – not the victim – using the card for a purchase there.

The card has been canceled by the victim, police said.

Anyone with information leading to the identity of that suspect shown in the video is asked to call Nutley PD at 973- 284-4940, ext. 2125.

• • •

In the second incident, police were contacted on April 29 about a missing bicycle.

The bike’s owner, who works at a Franklin Ave. eatery, told police that they had parked their bicycle, described as black with white lettering and valued at $225, in a garage behind their workplace during the weekend and had returned on April 29 to take it out, only to find it missing.

Police said private surveillance video shows an individual removing the bike from the garage and they are asking anyone who can help them track down the individual to call Nutley PD at 973-284-4940.

• • •

In other matters between April 25 and May 1, Nutley PD responded to 18 motor vehicle accidents, 35 medical calls, 16 disputes and these incidents:

April 25 

A motor vehicle stop conducted at Centre St. and Union Ave. resulted in the arrest of Olivia Duarte, 26, of Nutley, who, police said, had an outstanding warrant from Newark. She was also issued a summons for driving while suspended.

• • •

Using radar during patrol on Rt. 21 South, police stopped a silver Honda driven by Tara Ocasio, 19, of Newark, for allegedly speeding. Police said Ocasio had a green plastic bowl with a green leafy substance found to be marijuana. She was charged with possession of CDS and paraphernalia and was ticketed for speeding, uninsured vehicle and driving on a provisional license after hours.

• • •

A Mountainview Ave. resident reported that a group of juveniles ripped apart a section of fencing and used that to break five windows and then spat on the front window.

• • •

Joshua Noviello, 35, of Lodi, was arrested after a motor vehicle stop on Rt. 21 South on an outstanding warrant from Elmwood Park. He was released after being issued two motor vehicle tickets.

April 27 

A motor vehicle stop initiated on Brookline Ave. resulted in the arrest of Anthony Farina, 45, of Nutley, who, police learned, had outstanding warrants from Union, Fairfield, Jersey City and three from Orange. He was also ticketed on charges of driving after license/registration was suspended/revoked, driving without a license and failure to exhibit driver’s license.

• • •

A 30-foot-long tree limb fell on New St., partially blocking the road, and struck a parked vehicle, damaging its trunk, rear bumper, driver’s side hood, front and passenger’s side. Police also reported seeing damage to the anchors securing a PSE&G power line leading to nor damage to the siding where the anchors are located. The utility checked its wires and the vehicle was driven away by its owner, police said.

• • •

The owners of a Centre St. residence reported that when they returned home, they found a box delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to their front porch torn open and the contents missing.

May 1 

A motor vehicle stop on Kingsland St. resulted in the arrest of Renee Azer, 26, of Bayonne, for  an active warrant from Jersey City. Azer was also given two tickets charging her with driving while suspended and speeding.

• • •

Police responded to a Kingsland St. residence on a report of an open back door. A check of the residence showed that the home was vacant and that the back door had been kicked in. Police called a maintenance company to repair it.

– Ron Leir 

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