This section is based on data provided to Pascack Press weekly by neighborhood police departments. Due to pending court appearances and other variations, the following information shall be read in ‘press time’ context.
K9 aids in arrest after Mercedes site theft reported
A search involving a police K9 unit and an alert officer ended Feb. 25 in the arrest of a man, 40, who confessed to commercial burglary and theft from the Mercedes-Benz site, where demolition is in progress.
The foreman on the project called police just after 7 a.m. after an employee arrived at the job site and saw several copper cables strewn on the southernmost driveway of 3 Mercedes Drive.
More copper cables were found on the property backing up to the property of 15 Mercedes Dr., site of Ametek Coining Inc.
The responding officer inspected the area and saw tools, including a green power saw, leaning against a temporary barrier separating the properties. Further south he saw a Ford pickup truck in the parking lot of 15 Mercedes Dr., with no other vehicles nearby. There was dirt and another power saw in the bed, and the keys were in the ignition.
The registration showed suspended for lack of insurance.
The foreman said the truck and saws didn’t belong to anyone who worked there.
The officer added in the report that on his way to work just after 6 a.m. he had noticed a truck of the same color, make, and model make a right turn into the parking lot of 15 Mercedes Dr.
The officer said he then believed the possible burglar might still be in the area. He called for additional units, including Bergen County Sheriff’s Officer Spina with K9 Gucci.
When they arrived they set up a perimeter and cleared the complex. No one was found there, but Gucci picked up a scent through the Ametek Coining property leading to the Garden State Parkway.
Officers contacted Orangetown police to make contact with the truck registrant’s residence. The suspect was located and advised to report to Montvale police headquarters.
There, surveillance video further incriminated him. He confessed to being at the scene and committing the crime.
His truck was impounded, and, with consent, searched. A circular saw was recovered.
The man was charged with theft of movable property, burglary in the third degree, criminal mischief, trespassing, and possession of burglary tools. He also was cited for registration and driver’s license suspension and no insurance. He was to appear in Bergen Superior Court.
After he was served he was released on his own recognizance.
Home video sees man taking cash from unlocked car
A man whose street name was redacted on the police report said his car had been burgled.
According to the police report, the alleged victim walked to headquarters Feb. 27 to say the crime happened Feb. 24 at approximately 4 a.m. Evidently a male suspect was captured in home security footage walking onto the victim’s property, opening the driver’s side door to one of three cars in the driveway, finding a wallet in the door pocket, and taking out the cash: $150.
According to the report, “The suspect then walks over to the garage door and stands in front of it to smoke a cigarette. After smoking a cigarette, the suspect checks the doors on the remaining two vehicles parked in the driveway but both are locked. [Emphasis ours.] The suspect finally walks away.”
The victim reportedly told police he’d email them a copy of the video. No other motor vehicle burglaries or suspicious persons were reported around that time, police said.
Complaint of criminal mischief at train station
Police responded to a complaint of criminal mischief at the Montvale Train Station Feb. 28 after a town worker cleaning the facility called to say he’d found writing on the walls and letters etched into a mirror.
A work order was put in to have the bathroom repainted. Police said the graffiti matches a report from Feb. 14.
Suspect sought in theft jailed on drug charges too
A 37-year-old man, the subject of an investigation involving a burglary and theft to a vehicle at Paragon Drive, was charged with a slew of drug offenses and issued motor vehicle summonses March 1 after he was apprehended.
According to the police report, the man was spotted in a silver Crown Victoria driving suspiciously slowly in the parking lot of Paragon Drive. He turned around, left the lot, and entered the adjacent lot. He drove slowly there as well, as if canvassing the lot, police said.
When he saw the police approach, he sped up and made for the exit. He did not signal to enter the intersection. Police initiated a motor vehicle stop, pulling him over.
Referring to a photograph, police recognized the driver as the subject of their investigation. They asked for the man’s credentials, which he said he didn’t have, and called for backup.
The man was given a patdown. On his car seat was a white powder that the man said he could not identify. He suggested it might be food.
Following a search of the car, the man was arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of hypodermic syringes.
He also was given summonses for unregistered vehicle, driving with a suspended license, failure to inspect, window tint, failure to possess an insurance card, no liability insurance on vehicle, failure to signal, and controlled dangerous substance in a vehicle.
A separate report, from a detective investigation, lists additional charges.
The suspect was taken to the county jail for commitment.
Man, 19, objects to his father honking at him in store lot
Police responded to a supermarket parking lot to take a report of alleged harassment March 2 after a man, 19, said his father, 47, saw him there and began honking at him.
The two reportedly don’t get along. There was no verbal or physical exchange between the parties; the man just wanted to document the incident. No further police action was taken.