Underaged Drinking Bust

A party that included underaged teens in the presence of alcohol was broken up by police officials Oct. 31.

Thirty-five juveniles were taken into custody and released to their parents, and four adults were released pending further investigation at a Spring Avenue residence, according to a police statement.

Police responded to the home after receiving a call on a large party with underage consumption of alcohol. Upon arrival, the officers allegedly observed numerous juveniles attempting to flee the home and large quantities of alcohol. The homeowner attempted to hide a half full can of beer under a parked vehicle, police said.

A man, 19, of Ridgewood was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and obstruction of a governmental function. During the incident police allege that he broke a window and attempted to flee. He was released pending a future date in Ridgewood Municipal Court.

Calls placed to the police department and high school were not immediately returned.

Other police activity:

• A representative of Sprint PCS reported that someone had accessed the roof of 607 Franklin Turnpike and forcible removed approximately $2,000 of copper from cellular equipment, Oct. 29. A second copper theft was discovered on the same roof—this time from the T-Mobile cellular site.
• Patrol responded to Rite Aid Pharmacy on report of a juvenile shoplifter Oct. 31. The juvenile was taken into custody after he was allegedly observed taking a bag of sunflower seeds and concealing them in his pants. The juvenile was released to his parents pending future juvenile court action.
• Another alleged shoplifting occurred the following day at Rite Aid. The store manager reported that a male and female had been observed taking items from the store. When confronted they allegedly fled and left in a vehicle that was parked on Cottage Place. The matter is under investigation by the Ridgewood Detective Bureau.