News from the Nutley Police blotter

Aug. 8

At 1:54 a.m. police stopped a vehicle going at an excessive rate of speed on Rt. 21 and detected a strong odor of suspected marijuana inside. As the driver reached for paperwork, police said they spotted a bottle of oxycodone pills inside the glove compartment. Police said they also found several bags of a leafy substance believed to be marijuana. Police arrested Johnny Jeffrey, 29, and Austin Jeffrey, 20, both of Jersey City, on charges of possession of prescription medication and possession of marijuana. Both were released after posting bail pending court action.

Aug. 7

A Grant Ave. homeowner called police at 7:47 p.m. to report their home burglarized.

A Hay Ave. resident was rushed to University Hospital & Medical Center of New Jersey, Newark, at 6:59 p.m. after accidentally cutting off the tip of a finger with a knife, police said.

Two small children were removed by a police officer from a brook running through Kingsland Park for safety reasons at 3:05 p.m. Police determined that the kids were from a camp that gathers off Rutgers Place and turned them over to camp counselors.

Two cases of suspected fraud are being investigated by police. At 1:14 p.m. police received a report that a William St. resident had received a check in the mail for $2,700 with a note asking the resident to cash the check and send the money to a Philippine location. At 2:09 p.m. a Witherspoon St. resident told police about getting a check for $3,455 and then being asked to use the money for processing fees on a $250,000 cash prize. Both residents turned over the checks and notes to police.

At 10:48 p.m. two individuals were walking their dogs near Norman and Mapes Aves. when a German Shepherd whose owner lives in Bloomfield lunged at a poodle and bit its head causing bleeding near the eye, according to police. The owners exchanged phone numbers but police said when the poodle’s owner tried to reach the other owner, the number was found to be fake. Police located the Bloomfield owner and advised both parties how to proceed.

At 7:47 a.m. a Crestwood resident called police to report that a pair of garden gnome figures had been stolen from her front porch.

At 2:29 a.m. police stopped a 2008 Honda operated by Marcos Lopez, 26, of Passaic, on Rt. 21 and ticketed Lopez for driving while suspended. Police said Lopez also had two active warrants. He was released after posting bail. At 1:44 a.m. police said an officer pulled over a speeding motorcycle on Rt. 21 on the shoulder along the Belleville- Nutley border but, after momentarily stopping, the motorcyclist then took off south on Rt. 21 towards Newark at a speed in excess of 100 mph. At that point, the officer terminated the pursuit for safety reasons.

Aug. 6

A vandal threw eggs in the driveway of a Sharlene Road resident at 10:32 p.m., police reported.

At 6:11 p.m. police were called to a park off Vreeland Ave. to deal with three dogs running free. Two dog owners were given summonses for allowing their pets to run at large, police said.

Aug. 5

At 8:36 p.m. police went to a Franklin Ave. gas station where a customer and attendant were arguing about the amount of fuel dispensed and advised them of their right to dispute the matter in court.

A 58-year-old Paramus man collapsed at a local dance studio and officers arriving at the location administered CPR to revive him, police said. The man was taken to an area hospital for examination and his family was notified, police said.

Aug. 4

Someone broke the mirror of a Harrison St. resident’s vehicle and keyed words on the side door while the vehicle was parked in the rear of the resident’s building, police said. The incident was logged at 1:28 p.m.

A bronze bench was reported stolen from the front of a High St. residence at 11:56 a.m., police said.

A San Antonio Ave. resident complained to police that a contractor who was paid 1,000 to do repairs at the resident’s home failed to finish the job and couldn’t be contacted. Police advised the resident how to file a complaint.

At 4:50 a.m. police went to Highland Ave. after receiving a report about a fallen tree limb and power lines down. Police and fire units secured the area while a PSE&G crew fixed the wiring. Police said a vehicle was damaged and an electrical service had been pulled from a nearby home.

At 1:58 a.m. police stopped a vehicle seen exiting a closed Washington Ave. gas station and discovered that the driver, Javon Cooper, 25, of Paterson, was driving while suspended and had a $750 warrant out of Bridgewater. Cooper was issued a summons and released on his own recognizance on the warrant.

A Coeyman Ave. resident called police at 12:14 a.m. to report that someone damaged the resident’s mailbox and pole.

Aug. 3

At 8:46 p.m. police responded to an accident at Washington and Hancox Aves. where a woman behind the wheel of the vehicle involved was unresponsive. Officers broke a window to get access to the woman and to provide emergency medical care. She was rushed to an area hospital for possible diabetic shock, police said.

At 6:16 p.m. a Union Ave. resident called police to report the discovery of a foreign object inside the chicken and mixed vegetables that the resident had just picked up from a local Chinese food eatery. Public Affairs Commissioner Steve Rogers said the township health inspector determined, after speaking to the resident, that “the object was a large metal piece of scouring pad” and that “we are satisfied that this was an isolated incident. The establishment has passed our health inspection. There will be no further action on our part.”

– Ron Leir

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