Police Blotter 12/9-12/15: It's Getting Bad When Banks Are Victims Of Fraud

Monthly RPD Reports can be found here. New: October Activity Report

This is Rutherford publishes incidents that the public may find interesting or informative. The Blotter represents a small fraction of the total calls the RDP responds to regularly. The following information was provided to TIR by the Rutherford Police. All suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Incidents involving juveniles will not be published.

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Sunday, December 15 - Criminal Mischief, Montross Ave

A 46-year-old male reported that the Honda symbol was taken off his 2009 Honda Odyssey while parked in front of his residence between December 12 at 8:00 pm and December 13th at 3 pm. He also noticed the Honda symbol removed from his 2013 Honda Civic which he believes occurred between December 14 at 6:00 pm and midnight that night.

Saturday, December 14 - Dispute, Meadow Road

At approximately 2:41 pm RPD received a report of a verbal dispute in the Popeye’s parking lot. Upon arrival one car had already left but it was discovered that the dispute was over one car being blocked by another in the drive-thru.

Friday, December 13 - Suspicious Person, East Erie Ave

At approximately 1:30 pm a caller at the train station reported a suspicious party wearing a mask on the train station platform. Officers located the party who stated he was filming trains, as he enjoys it. East Rutherford officers met the Rutherford officers who stated they are aware of the man who may have special needs.

Friday, December 13 - Noise Complaint, Extended Stay Hotel

At approximately 2:19 am an employee of the hotel reported residents who are Felician students having a loud party. Their RA did not answer the phone so she called RPD to control the situation. RPD located the party which was ending.

Thursday, December 12 - Suspicious Person, Extended Stay Hotel

At approximately 12:12 am a caller reported a male and female party wearing lingerie in the parking lot for approximately 15 minutes and either looking into parked cars or having a dispute. Parties were gone upon RPD arrival.

Thursday, December 12 - Suspicious Incident, Orient Way

Hoboken Police contacted RPD to inform about a report made to a former Rutherford resident who still owns a property in Rutherford. The resident stated he received what he thinks are scam text messages threatening to harm him if he didn’t send money. He also received photos of mutilated bodies which he also found online as being linked to similar scams.

Thursday, December 12 - Noise Complaint, Memorial Field

At approximately 12:10 am a caller reported loud music coming from the Memorial parking lot. RPD located a 2005 silver Lexus registered to a 56-year-old male Rutherford resident being driven by a 20-year-old male. No loud music was observed at the time however the party was in the parking lot after the park closed and was advised to leave.

Wednesday, December 11- Dispute, Glen Road

At approximately 7:50 pm a 49-year-old male caller stated he was involved in a verbal argument with an unknown female. He reported that while he was trying to parallel park, a female who was dressed all in black screamed that he almost hit her. He responded he did not see her and she began screaming at him and taking pictures of his license plate. The female left and was not located.

Wednesday, December 11- Fraud, Orient Way

A representative from a local bank reported that the bank had been a fraud victim of $42,366. The bank had been dealing with a software company to which the bank owed $42,366 for services rendered. In order to make payment, the software company provided information where payment could be sent. Shortly after, the local Rutherford bank received a second email that looked as if it were coming from the software company requesting that the previous email be disregarded and instead to send the full amount to a Bank of America account. The local bank transferred payment immediately but a week later was contacted by the software company still looking for payment. It appears the software company’s email had been hacked.

Tuesday, December 10 - Aid and Assist, Franklin Place

At approximately 8:34 am a 55-year-old female called RPD because she thought her vehicle might have been towed as she was unable to locate it. Officers checked the area and located her car on Chestnut Street.

Monday, December 9- Suspicious Incident, Orient Way

At approximately 10:13 pm a 65-year-old male called to report three females rang the doorbell at his 92-year-old father’s home asking to use the phone and how to get to Van Buren Ave in Lyndhurst. RPD checked the area but the party was gone upon arrival.

Monday, December 9- Criminal Mischief, Grove Street

A 59-year-old female stated an unknown party had caused damage to her vehicle. She parked her vehicle on December 7 at 7:00 pm. While walking her dogs at 11:00 pm she observed a vehicle parked that was in contact with the rear spare tire on the back of her car. No damage was seen and she took photos. She stated this has happened before but she didn’t report it. On December 8 at 12:00 pm while loading her vehicle she observed her antenna bent at a 90-degree angle. She knocked on the door to the house in front of where the car was parked and had a brief conversation with the homeowner who became agitated and denied bending the antenna.

Monday, December 9 - Suspicious Person, Vreeland Ave

At approximately 2:53 pm a 58-year old female reported having workers from Ned Stevens Gutter in her backyard but she hadn’t hired them and wished them to leave. RPD made contact and reported they were at the wrong address and scheduled to work nearby.