Thieves Strike on Christmas Eve, New Restaurants Emerge in Week's Top Stories

Owner Suspects Missing Dog Was Stolen on Christmas Eve in Glen Rock

A deaf and elderly daschound disappeared on Christmas Eve from Paula Gilligan's Glen Rock yard and remains missing. The owner suspects the dog – not known to take off – was taken.

Let's cut to the chase, you want to know what the most read story of the year was. In 2012, the death of Ridgewood native Andrew Gramaglia drew the most readers. A 2010 graduate of Ridgewood High School, Gramaglia jumped off the George Washington Bridge in May.

The second of our "hey, remember what happened in 2012?" lists, we took a look at those who saved the lives of animals. The top story? It's a toss-up between Dave Rispoli helping save the dogs of a neighbor he'd never met during the onslaught of a hurricane, and firefighters retrieving a terrified cat from a fast-moving house fire.

Thief Steals Family's Minivan on Christmas Eve

Someone is definitely on the naughty list; a family reported its unlocked 2001 Nissan Quest was jacked from a North Maple Avenue driveway on Christmas Eve. Police have no leads.

Diners recently welcomed two lauded eateries to the area with the arrival of Raymond's in Ridgewood and Marc's Cheesecakes in Glen Rock. And definitely don't forget about Lisa. Lisa Mayisoglu reopened her well-regarded Mediterranean restaurant in December after closing – and moving – for renovations.

GRPD Issues Valor Awards for 2012

The borough's PBA in December presented its service awards to its officers (plus a resident and an NYPD detective). The incidents include the largest heroin bust in department history and a large-scale federal fraud case.

The strangest? It might just be Patrolman Robert Surdyka spotting a couple fleeing from the back of a school bus in the wee hours of the morning. The female allegedly bit Surdyka, breaking the skin. All the while, police say Surdyka managed to withstand the resisting boyfriend. Make sure to check out the female's mugshot, too.