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 Incidents involving juveniles will not be published.
Monday, April 29th - Wednesday, May 1st - 13 Car Burglaries, Northwest Side of Rutherford
12 vehicles were burglarized on Wells Place, Washington Ave and Beech Street between approximately 5 p.m. on April 29th and 7:28 a.m. on April 30th. 1 vehicle was burglarized on Chestnut Street on Wednesday May 1st at approximately 2:00 a.m.
All vehicles were either parked in the street or in the driveway of a private residence, except for on Chestnut St. where the car was parked in an apartment complex parking area.
No signs of forced entry were discovered by any RDP and all victims noted they might have left their doors unlocked.
Among the items missing were: a charging cord, gift cards, backpack, work equipment, various personal belongings, and coins. One car had $240 in cash, a “Y-I car DVR/vehicle dash cam,” a Dyson blow dryer, various hair tools and products totaling $1160 worth of items.
Officers are actively patrolling the town at night. RPD advises all residents to lock your cars, do not leave your keys in the car, and try to park in a well lit area. When possible, enable motion sensor lights on your property. Please review any surveillance camera footage you may have daily and contact RPD immediately if you see something suspicious. If you suspect your car has been burglarized, DO NOT touch or drive your car - notify RPD immediately otherwise you may ruin anything of evidentiary value.
Sunday May 5th - Noise Complaint, Hastings Ave
At approximately 11:24 p.m. an anonymous caller reported a party in a nearby apartment taking place. RPD spoke with a 26 year old female and her 3 guests who stated they would disperse and quiet down for the evening. They apologized that their laughing was so loud.
Sunday May 5th - DWI, Rt. 17
RPD was notified of a possible road rage incident on Rt. 17 North. Officer Ritter observed the vehicles in question and conducted an motor vehicle stop. While speaking with the accused, it was determined the driver, a 29 year old female from Jersey City, was under the influence of alcohol. Field sobriety tests were performed and the woman was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. She submitted to a breathalyzer test and recorded a .18 and .19 BAC. The initial road rage incident was determined to be the result of the inebriated woman following another car too closely and flashing her high beams. She was issued 4 motor vehicle summonses and released to a responsible party under John’s law.
Saturday, May 4th - Harassment, Feronia Way
A 19 year old female notified RPD that her former classmate, a 19 year old male of Rutherford was posting harassing Instagram postings about her. RPD spoke to the man and he said he would stop. The caller was satisfied with the outcome.
Saturday, May 4th - Dispute, Park Ave
RPD responded to the Post Office because of an irate customer yelling. A 49 year old female was upset because she didn’t want to sign her home address on a certified letter. RPD calmed her down and she signed without incident.
Saturday, May 4th - Noise Complaint, Tryon Field
A 39 year old male contacted RPD to report the “noise emanating from the loudspeaker at Tryon field was registering above 65 decibels against the town ordinance.” Officers responded and reported there was an event going on for children with special needs and spoke to the organizer about the noise. The organizer stated she would turn down the volume. The officer attempted to make contact with caller at his residence, but he did not answer his door.
Friday, May 3rd - Aid and Assist, Union Ave
A Domino’s Pizza employee called RPD because a 75 year old woman arrived to pick up a pizza, but then became disoriented and did not know how to get back home. RPD was able to bring the woman home and advised her family of the situation.
Wednesday, May 1st - Fraud/Annoying Phone Calls, Yahara Ave
A female Yahara Ave resident has a profile on the social media app “Words With Friends” in which players can choose to play with either known friends or strangers. The victim met a male via Words With Friends and she explained she has financial troubles. They exchanged phone numbers and she provided him with her personal address so he could email her a check for $9600 to help her financial troubles. In return, he requested a bank transfer of $600 upon her receipt of the money. She went ahead and sent it to him and provided him a tracking number via USPS. She also sent him a $50 Amazon gift card. The victim was called a day later by a supposed USPS courier employee by the name of “Gabrielle” who told the victim that the package she was sending was being held in customs and in order to get its release, the victim needed to pay $980 to customs. When she advised the courier she would not pay the money, the original man she met via Words With Friends called her and said she “better pay it because he wanted his money now and if she didn’t, she would owe him $78,000.” She blocked his number and reported the text messages from him to RPD. RPD reports the text messages were not grammatically correct and did not provide a clear message. A search of the numbers used to communicate between the victim, the man and “Gabrielle” resulted in no listing found and they’re suspected to be VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) which are not easily traceable.
Wednesday, May 1st - Intoxicated Person, Tryon Field
At approximately 4:08 p.m., an RHS coach reported several of his athletes found someone sleeping under the bleachers at Tryon Field. The person was so intoxicated that they were transported to a local hospital.
Wednesday, May 1st - Burglary, Park Ave
At approximately 6:30 a.m., the foreman of the construction at 106 Park Ave responded to work and noted that during the previous night someone had made entry to the building. He had last exited the building at 4:30 p.m. the previous day. The suspects made entrance through the west stairwell and attempted to make access to the roof area, but were denied by secured doors. The unknown suspects then ripped off a plastic tarp, threw it down a stairwell, sprayed multiple fire extinguishers and tore down plywood. They made entry to one specific apartment and sprayed water throughout the room and center hallway causing damage. No estimated value yet of the damage.
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