On Dec. 21---Police experienced two stolen motor vehicles and six that were entered all along Grant and Walnut See advisory below.
This time of year the result of busy schedules, unsuspecting victims are more frequently defrauded, scammed, and burglarized.
I would like to remind everyone to remain alert and conscious to scammers, and do whatever necessary to safeguard your car, home and personal information.
Scams Hit our Area
SWEETHEART SCAM: One of the most widely utilized modes of preying upon a victim to attain financial gain. The scammer convinces their victim that they are in love, using the emotion to bilk money from the unsuspecting person. People meet on websites like “Tinder” and “Kick” – a resident was scammed out of $20,000.00 over a period of time (approximately 8 months) where iPhones and money was sent via Money Gram and Visa gift cards.
ATTN BUSINESS OWNERS: There is a phone call scam from PSE&G where the caller may have your PSE&G account number or a partial of that number and ask for immediate payment. It is not common place for PSE&G to ask you to send payment via “Money Gram,” thru a money card “Gift Card” or your service will be shut off. Contact PSE&G direct to verify your account status before any monies are exchanged.
The victim received a call from an unknown male that stated his name was David Trump. He then continued and informed the victim they had won the lottery and he would delivery two credit cards to them. The first credit card was worth 15 million dollars and the second one was worth 10 Million dollars. He then stated his commission for the delivery of the credit cards was $13,000 and he needed the first 5 numbers of the victim’s Social Security number. The victim told the caller that they didn’t believe him that they won the lottery and refused to give him any of their information and hung up the phone. Officers called the number and it was out of service. Officers advised everyone NOT to give out any personal information to an unknown party and to call the Police Department as soon as possible.
On12/9/16 it was reported by an area restaurant business owner that an order needed to be processed by an out of state customer, and that he would send a check for payment. When the Nutley Business owner received the check it was for MORE than discussed price. The customer stated that he would send a currier to pick up the difference. The owner called the business (California based) that was named on the check and appears to be fraudulent. Police are investigating.
Officers responded to the victim of a phone scam who reported that they received a phone call from an unknown male. The male called on the home phone and said "Gram?" They thought it was their grandson, John so they said John is that you? The unknown male said yes I have a really bad cold. The unknown male then said he was driving a friend's car and he ran a red light. He then got pulled over and there were drugs in the trunk. The unknown male then said he would let them speak to Sgt. Scott Davis. Another unknown male spoke to them on the phone and advised them that they needed to pick up four $1000 Best Buy or Target gift cards so their grandson John could be released from custody. The victim went to Target in Clifton to purchase the gift cards. After they purchased the gift cards they thought it was suspicious that a Police Department would only accept Target or Best Buy gift cards. A short time later they were able to contact their grandson John, so they contacted the Nutley Police Department to report the incident. The victim never gave the unknown callers any money or personal information.
FRAUDS although there are many scam artists trying to take advantage of trustworthy residents, there is no way to stop them from calling, e mailing, or attempting to access personal info, however we can STOP providing them personal information, hang up the phone, block their numbers, and not reply to their requests. And most importantly we have the power to NOT send any money to anyone without confirming recipient’s identity.
A common scam, in which a scam artist posing as a buyer sends more than the item listed and requests a refund of balance. It is usually too late once the counterfeit money order or check is discovered.
This week the Nutley Police Department experienced an increase in phone scams, in which scammers pretend to be from the IRS stating the resident owes money. Please note DO NOT PROVIDE PERSONAL INFORMATION OR SEND MONEY.
Also IRS rarely calls to advise you owe them money, or threaten an action has been filed!
Also a common scam is when the caller pretends to be a family member, then immediately another person gets on the phone and says that this family member is need of money.
Chief Strumolo continues to warn residents to SECURE and LOCK their vehicles. Unlocked vehicles have contributed to many thefts over the past several months, all of which could have been prevented if doors were locked, most recently over the night on Alexander Ave 11/17 and two on Fischer.
Also never leave valuables in car where they can be observed.
Chief Strumolo advises residents that if they observe that their vehicle had been entered, NOT to touch anything and call police. He stated that it is important that the vehicle remain undisturbed for investigators, no matter how little was disturbed or stolen. Evidence left by actor may lead to prosecution for their vehicle and many others burglarized in recent weeks.
Chief Thomas Strumolo said that burglary to auto, has been one of the Townships leading offenses this year. He said several C-3 alerts, newspaper and Internet warnings, to lock doors, failed to stop these felons from burglarizing our residents. He said with assertiveness and proactive policing, we were able to identify most of the actors responsible for the thefts. I continue to urge residents to lock their vehicles doors and remove valuables.
Additionally, if a credit card, cell phone, laptop, I pad etc. is stolen. DO NOT turn service off until directed to do so. Calls placed, and tracking devices can help with investigation. Any charges placed on a credit card, can assist law enforcement with identifying actor at the place the attempt was made. Typically charge cards can be flagged, and owner will not responsible for charges after a police report has been filed.
If there is a utility pole near your home and the light is out please call PSEG or Police Headquarters and provide the tag number of pole and address of closest home. Well-lit streets help reduce crime.
Anyone that has a home surveillance system, please send your contact information and system location to DetectiveBureau@NutleyPD.com attention Det. Sgt. Montanari should a crime be committed near your location Detectives may contact you to review for potential identifiers.
He also said Nutley Police do not endorse the below company however a number of residents have purchased new doorbells that record actors, proving to be a valuable investigative tool for law enforcement, for around 200.00. The below doorbell can be purchased on line, at RING.COM the manufacturer of this device offered residents a 25.00 discount if promotional code 7npd07110 is used.
The Police Blotter
Medical Calls: 37
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 26
Disputes/Suspicious Incidents: 15
12/17/16
***********Motor Vehicle Stop – Crestwood Avenue - Officers initiated a motor vehicle stop which resulted in the arrest of Gyasi Muhammad, 20, of Irvington. He was found to be in possession of a "brick" of heroin, (bundles of envelopes containing heroin wrapped in magazine paper), A search incident to arrest found a large quantity of cash located in his front left pocket. Mr. Muhammad was transported to Police Headquarters without incident where he was processed and charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin, Possession with the Intent to Distribute CDS within 1,000 ft. of a School, Possession of CDS, and released with the mandatory Court date.
12/19/16
***********Criminal Mischief – River Road – The Property Manager of the apartment complex reported that damage had been done to the light fixtures, Christmas lights, and entrance sign. It is believed that juveniles are hanging out in the rear lot of the neighboring property and throwing rocks causing damage to the property. The light fixture is valued at $500.00. The Christmas lights are valued at $50.00 and the entrance sign is valued at $1,000.00 for a total of $1,550.00. Officers advised the Property Manager that units would make checks in the area. No further police action was taken at this time.
***********Dog Bite Incident – Passaic Avenue – A report of a dog bite came into dispatch and Officers responded to the victim’s residence where they stated that while in the waiting room of the Veterinarian office they were bit on the right forearm by another dog. There was a small red mark on the victim’s forearm and medical attention was declined on scene. The dog was up to date with all of its vaccinations, but was found to be unlicensed. The owner of the dog was issued a Township Ordinance for Unlicensed dog. Nothing further.
*********Shoplifting – Franklin Avenue – Officers responded to the area regarding a call of a shoplifting in progress. The store manager stated that they observed a black male, wearing a black jacket, and black jeans, place a frozen food item in their book bag. Officers questioned the suspect and they admitted to shoplifting Mr. Shaking Davis, 26, of East Orange, was placed under arrest and transported to Headquarters without incident. He was charged with Shoplifting, processed, fingerprinted, advised of his Court date, and released. No further action necessary.
**********Theft of Identity over 700.00– Headquarters received a walk in report regarding an Identity Theft claim. The victim stated that they do not have an account with Comcast, and were told that an unknown party had registered an account using their name, address, and social security number. The victim was advised to make a Police report and send it to the Credit Management Company and Comcast, so they may investigate. The victim also wanted to be entered into the Identity Theft database, which was done promptly.
**********Motor Vehicle Stop – Park Avenue – Officers initiated a motor vehicle stop that resulted in the arrest of the driver, Sergio Degiacomo, 25, of Belleville. He was transported to Headquarters without incident. He was processed which included prints and photographs, charged with Possession of a CDS/ Influence, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, issued motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Suspended, Speeding, Operating a Motor Vehicle While In Possession of Narcotic, advised of his mandatory Court date and released.
12/20/16
********Motor Vehicle Stop – Washington Avenue – A motor vehicle stop was performed in the area and the driver was found to have an active warrant out of Millburn. Robert Masi, age 43, of Nutley, was taken into custody and transported to Headquarters without incident. He was able to post the appropriate bail, issued motor vehicle summons for Unclear/Fictitious plates, and advised to follow up with the Millburn Municipal Court before his release.
***********Simple Assault – River Road – the victim of a past occurred assault described the incident to Officers. The male victim stated that they had a verbal confrontation with 3 males which led to one of the males punching him in the face. Males were described as two Hispanic males, one wearing a grey "puffer" jacket, the other wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and one black male wearing a grey "puffer" jacket. He further stated when the males exited the car one stated "what are you looking at" and when he replied "nothing" the one Hispanic male wearing the blue hooded sweatshirt punched him in the face, then all three males ran through the courtyard of the complex and the vehicle left in an unknown direction. At no point did any of the males try and take any of his belongings nor did they make any types of threats. Units checked the area for the actors with negative results. The victim declined medical attention. He was advised that if the actors were positively identified he has the right to sign a complaint with the Municipal Court.
12/21/16
******Motor Vehicle Stop – Hancox Avenue – Patrol initiated a motor vehicle stop that resulted in the arrest of Steve Ferro, 19, of Nutley. He was transported to Headquarters without incident, processed, printed, and photographed, charged with Possession of Marijuana, Use or Possession with Intent to Use, issued motor vehicle summonses for Drug Possession by Motor Vehicle Operator, Maintenance of Lamps, and released with his mandatory Court date.
*********Attempted Theft from Vehicle – Grant Avenue – Officers responded to the area in reference to a report of a car, 2000 Jeep Wrangler, alarm going off and someone seen in the area of vehicle. No further description was available for the actor/s. Upon inspection of the vehicle it was found that it had been left unlocked, and the passenger side door was left partially ajar. It was apparent that someone attempted to enter the vehicle but was scared off by the alarm. Detective Bureau was notified.
*********Theft from Vehicle – Grant Avenue - While patrolling the area due to a attempted auto theft, Officers found the door of a 2012 Buick Enclave not fully closed. It was observed that someone had entered the vehicle and rifled through the interior. The homeowner was notified. The doors had been left unlocked. Detective Bureau was notified.
********Theft from Vehicle – Walnut Street – An additional vehicle was found to have been rummaged through as Officers were checking the area due to other thefts from vehicles. It was found that the doors were left unlocked. Detective Bureau notified.
********Theft from Vehicle – Walnut Street – Another vehicle was found to have been rummaged through with a money counter missing from the interior of the vehicle. The 2014 GMC Acadia was parked in the driveway and left unlocked. The owner was advised not to touch the vehicle until the Detective Bureau contacts them for processing.
*******Theft from Vehicle – Walnut Street - Officers found another vehicle that had been rummaged through including the glove compartment being left open and papers thrown about. The owner of the vehicle was made aware of the situation and checked the vehicle for missing items. Detective Bureau arrived on scene, spoke with the homeowner, and processed the scene.
*******Theft from Vehicle – Walnut Street – Another vehicle, Ram truck, was found rummaged through and Officers were able to make contact with the owner. It was found the doors were left unlocked and the actor/s had taken money that was located in the console. The Detective Bureau arrived on scene to processes the vehicle.
********Motor Vehicle Theft – Walnut Street - Officers responded to the area regarding a stolen motor vehicle. The victim came outside and found their car, a 2015 Hyundai Sonata, missing. There was nothing of value in the vehicle, but it was possible that the valet key was left in the center console. The vehicle was entered into the stolen vehicle database at Headquarters.
*********Motor Vehicle Theft – Burnett Place – Another vehicle was reported stolen from the area in which several attempted vehicle thefts were made. The car, a 2016 black colored Ford Explorer, was last seen in the driveway and did have the keys inside of the vehicle. The car was entered stolen in the database at Headquarters.
*********Arrest on Warrant – Franklin Avenue – A party known to Officers as having an outstanding warrant was seen walking on Franklin Avenue. A field interview was conducted where Headquarters confirmed the active warrant out of Newark. Jessie Soto, 41, and homeless, was transported to Headquarters without incident, and Newark Police were contacted. Mr. Soto was released on his own recognizance with a new Court date.
12/22/16
*******Motor Vehicle Stop – Hillside Avenue - A motor vehicle stop resulted in the arrest of its driver and passenger. Irma Dervisevic, 18, of Nutley, and Matthew DeOliveira, 20, of Nutley were transported to Headquarters without incident. Both were processed, which included fingerprints and photographs. Ms. Dervisevic was charged with Tampering with Public Records or Information, advised of her Court date and released. Mr. DeOliveira was charged with Possession of Marijuana Under 50 grams, advised of his mandatory Court date and released. No further action taken.
Nutley Police Advisory - Vehicle Thefts
December 21, 2016
Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo advise that early this morning we experienced two motor vehicle thefts, one on Burnett Pl., one on Walnut St. It is believed that vehicles had key fob left inside and doors unlocked. Residents are reminded that criminals look for unlocked vehicles, to steal valuables left inside, if the vehicle starts they will take it as well. Please remain vigilant and do not leave valuables holiday gifts or vehicle keys in vehicles and take precautions they are locked.
Additionally we have experienced a rise in package thefts left on doorsteps and in vestibules. Police urge residents to have packages delivered to occupied locations where they can be received, and monitor delivery dates and times with carrier to assure they are not intercepted by thieves. The Nutley Police Department requests that anyone that observes suspicious activity, at any hour are urged to contact them at 973-284-4940 or 911. On behalf of Director Petracco and Chief Strumolo we wish everyone a happy healthy and safe holiday.
