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.
Tinted windows and an $89 traffic warrant
A unit on patrol Feb. 18 just before 11 p.m. observed a vehicle travelling on Westwood Avenue with tinted windows.
The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Westwood Avenue near Rockland Avenue. A computer query revealed that the driver, 24, from Bloomfield, had an outstanding warrant from Bloomfield for $89.
A backup unit arrived and the driver was arrested and taken to headquarters, where he posted bail. He was released with a warning for safety glass requirement.
Officer checking on man in snowstorm finds marijuana
An officer on patrol in a snowstorm at approximately 3 p.m. on Feb. 20 observed a vehicle stopped on the side of Westwood Avenue near Bergen Place with its hazard lights flashing.
The officer stopped to check on the driver. While speaking with him, the officer detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. He requested backup.
A pack of rolling papers was observed on the dashboard in plain view. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a marijuana cigarette in the ashtray.
The driver, 24, from New York, N.Y., was advised of his Miranda rights and placed under arrest. He was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and issued a criminal complaint for possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He also was issued motor vehicle summonses for failure to exhibit insurance card and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.
He was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance in the River Vale Municipal Court Feb. 26.
River Vale police advise residents on scam smarts
Representatives from Edward Jones Investments, along with River Vale Police Detective Sergeant Peter Martin, hosted an “Outsmart the Scammers” presentation Feb. 26 at the River Vale Public Library.
Attendees were informed of trending frauds and scams and the red flags to watch out for to avoid being victimized.
The session touched on telephone and internet scams, banking scams, IRS imposter scams, charity scams, grandparent scams, customer service scams, and ID theft, among other matters.
If you fall prey to a scam, or are suspicious of any communication you get, it’s best to report it immediately, police say.
Police also recommend that victims run a credit check and change any affected accounts immediately. Delete suspicious emails without clicking on anything in them. If you’re unsure whether a family member, friend, or company needs to reach you, contact them through a phone number you already know or an email address listed on their official website.
The presentation was part of the River Vale Police Department’s Community Policing Outreach. For more information, visit usa.gov/common-scams-frauds.
Police cite careless driving in girl’s rollover crash
A 17-year-old resident is charged with careless driving and was sent to the hospital as a precaution after she crashed her Honda CRV into a utility pole, cutting power to the area.
Multiple calls alerted police to Rivervale Road near New Street on Feb. 23. Officers found the CRV lying on its side in the street. The top of the pole was suspended above the car, held only by utility wires—including high tension power lines.
Officers pulled the driver through the sunroof. She said she was not hurt, but was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center at Pascack Valley by the Old Tappan Volunteer Ambulance Corps, as a precaution.
The River Vale Volunteer Fire Department stabilized the wreck until it was removed from the roadway.
The investigation determined that the vehicle had been traveling southbound on Rivervale Road when it veered to the right, onto the curb, and struck the pole, causing the vehicle to roll.
The roadway remained closed until the following morning when crews replaced the pole and restored power. The summons is answerable in River Vale Municipal Court on March 19.
Headlight out leads to stop, warrant discovery
An officer on motor patrol on March 2 at approximately 9:10 p.m. saw a vehicle travelling on Rivervale Road without its headlights on.
The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on River Vale Road near Prospect Avenue. A computer query revealed that the driver had an outstanding warrant from Palisades Interstate Parkway for $179.
A backup officer arrived and the driver, 48, from Middletown, N.Y., was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. He posted the requisite bail and was released.
Gives officer fake license after stop for brake light out
An officer on motor patrol March 5 at approximately 7:30 a.m. observed a vehicle stopped at the traffic light on Rivervale Road at Old Tappan Road with a malfunctioning brake light. The officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Rivervale Road near Collignon Way.
There, the driver presented the officer a fraudulent driver’s license. After a backup officer arrived, the driver, 35, from Spring Valley, N.Y., was advised of his Miranda Rights and placed under arrest. He was transported to police headquarters and processed.
The defendant was issued a criminal complaint for unsworn falsification to authorities and motor vehicle summonses for maintenance of lamps and driving without a license.
He was released on his own recognizance pending a court appearance at River Vale Municipal Court on March 19.