Ridgewood Police Beat June 27-July 6: ATM Scam, Chairs Thrown in Graydon, Multiple Arrests

June 27

Party House

A resident reported several juveniles entering a vacant home on McKinley Place.  While checking the home, patrol units observed that it was unlocked, the house was checked, and it was determined that the juveniles had left the scene. The police department reminds residents to report suspicious activity in their neighborhood as well as notifying them of juvenile activity at vacant properties.

June 28

Gas Spill

The police department received a report of a possible gas spill at the intersection of North Maple Avenue and First Street.  Responding patrol units observed a large pile of refuse, including a metal drum, leaking a black fluid outside the former site of Village Ford located at 599 East Ridgewood Avenue.  The Department of Environmental Protection and Bergen County Hazmat were notified and after evaluating the situation, ordered cleanup procedures be implemented.  Investigation at the scene revealed that the materials had been removed from the building by a contractor hired by the current tenant, Boyd Interiors.

ATM Scam

The manager at the Bank of America located at 25 North Maple Avenue reported that it appeared as though someone had tampered with the ATM located in the lobby. The manager explained that a scanning device might have been attached to front of the ATM in an effort to collect customers' account information.  The matter is under investigation.  It is advised that persons utilizing ATM at all banks be aware of this scheme, which is perpetrated by placing devices that appear to be part of the facing of the ATM over the card slot and keypad allowing them to function normally, but recording data of transactions carried out. The device is then retrieved and account information is downloaded from it.

Bike Stolen

A resident reported that a Gold Trek men's bicycle was stolen from a residence on Parsons Road where it was locked.

June 29

Stolen Ring Recovered

A detective from the Long Hill Police Department alerted the Ridgewood Police Department Detective Bureau that two rings valued at $16,803, stolen in that jurisdiction, had been sold at the Ridgewood Coin & Stamp Gallery located at 17 Chestnut Street. During the follow-up investigation, the seller was identified and one of the rings was recovered and returned to its owner.  

Compromised Credit Card

A resident reported that  an unidentified person had compromised his credit card account information making unauthorized charges via the Internet.

June 30

Credit Card Theft

A medical office on East Ridgewood Avenue reported that a former employee had utilized the practice's credit card account for several online purchases without authorization. Diana Torres, 22, of Garfield, was charged with credit card theft subsequent to an investigation by the detective bureau.

Rite Aid Shoplifting

Martha Sirtes, 82, of Ridgewood was arrested and charged with shoplifting merchandise valued at $68.77 from Rite Aid located at 199 East Ridgewood Ave.

Assault Reported

Patrol units responded to Village Auto Body at 205 Chestnut Street where a former employee reported being assaulted subsequent to a dispute with the business owner. Police kept the peace while the employee removed his personal property. No complaints were signed by the victim.

July 1

Library Café Theft

An employee at the Novel Café located inside the Ridgewood Public Library reported four bottles of soda, valued at $6, taken by a library visitor.  The owner of the café did not wish to sign a criminal complaint.

Patio Damaged

A Meadowbrook Avenue resident reported patio planters and porch furniture damaged by a group of juveniles who fled the area on foot.

July 2

Underaged Driver

Patrolman Darin Thomas stopped a vehicle on Lincoln Avenue driving without its lights on July 2 at 2:27 a.m.  It was later determined that the driver, a 15-year-old from Hawthorne, did not have a driver's license and had taken the car without its owner's consent. The operator was issued several juvenile complaints for motor vehicle violations.  

Unknown Chairs Thrown in Graydon

A Ridgewood Recreation Department employee reported approximately 40 chairs had been thrown into Graydon Pool.  It was not known to whom the chairs belonged.

July 4

Suspended Driver Caught Driving

Joseph Yakowicz, 57, of Ridgewood was arrested subsequent to a motor vehicle stop by Patrolman Kyle Finch.  Yakowicz, who did not have a driver's license in his possession, provided false information regarding his identity when questioned by Finch. It was later determined that Yacowicz's license was suspended, and that he had taken the car he was driving without the owner's consent. In addition to several motor vehicle violations Mr. Yakowicz was charged with 2C:29-3 hindering apprehension.

July 5

Resident Arrested on Outstanding Warrants

Patrolman John Chuck arrested Sarah Ellis, 20, of Ridgewood on several outstanding criminal warrants. Ellis was turned over to the Paterson Police Department, which housed her in the Passaic County Jail.

Street Light Damaged

Spring Avenue residents reported that a lamppost in front of their home was damaged.  

July 6

Court Fine Violator Charged

Patrolman Kevin McKeon arrested Lewis Milano of Allendale on a warrant for nonpayment of court-imposed fines July 6. Milano was housed in the Bergen County jail in lieu of payment. 

June 2010

Police Seek Solicitors Without Permits

During the month of June 2010, several white male were reported to be soliciting without permits in Ridgewood neighborhoods. The men, who claimed to be employed by an organization called Care Package Campaign, stated that they were raising money for American troops stationed overseas.  It was later determined that they were not employed by that organization and have been charged in another jurisdiction with theft by deception related to their soliciting activity. Any residents with additional information regarding these subjects please contact Det. Douglas Williams at 201-251-4537.

Information provided by Ridgewood Police Department.