Assault report, burglaries lead Nutley Police Blotter

Aggravated Assault

March 9

Police were called to Municipal Lot 2 at1:46 a.m. on a word of a disturbance. They found a 22-year-old West Orange man bleeding from his head. The victim told police that he was leaving a bar located near Franklin Avenue and Centre Street, and was assaulted by an unknown man while going to his car. The victim was checked by the local emergency personnel. He refused to be transported to a hospital. Police said they could not locate the suspect at the time and and investigation continues.

Burglary and theft

March 3

A pharmacy manager at 11:56 a.m. reported several pallets were stolen from outside the establishment. Police were investigating.

At 2:45 p.m., a Mapes Avenue resident reported that an undisclosed amount of items were stolen from their residence. Police were investigating.

March 6

At 3:50 p.m., a private school teacher reported that her cell phone, valued at more than $300, was stolen from her desk drawer. Police were investigating.

At 5:13 p.m., a Mapes Avenue resident reported their home was burglarized. Police determined a door had been forced opened between 8 a.m. and 5:13 p.m., and every room was ransacked. A large number of items were reported stolen. Police were investigating and are asking anyone that may have knowledge or witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact the Detective Bureau at 973-284-4938.

March 8

At 1:17 a.m., police conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle traveling south on Route 21 with its rear trunk overloaded with scrap metal. A check of the vehicle owner found the scrap to be unlawfully taken out of Rutherford. Police took possession the vehicle and detained the driver.

An Overlook Terrace homeowner said they found their garage had been burglarized. A 2012 motorcycle had been stolen along with other items. Police were investigating.

DWI

March 5

At 3:06 a.m., police responded to a vehicle accident on Franklin Avenue and arrested Phanrapee Premabhuti, 24, of Nutley driving while intoxicated. He was taken to police headquarters, issued summonses and released to a responsible adult, police said.

March 9

At 2:39 a.m., police conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle on River Road and arrested Juan Orellana, 23, of Hasbrouck Heights for DWI. He was taken to headquarters, where he was later released to a responsible adult.

Juveniles

March 2

At 10:15 p.m., police investigated threats made on the internet when they received a report that a student may want to harm themselves. Police found the identity of a high school student and learned the posting had been misinterpreted.

At 11:09 p.m., police investigated a suspicious vehicle parked in Municipal Lot 1 and found that the three occupants were in possession of marijuana. The three juveniles were taken to headquarters and turned over to parents or guardians. Charges were being made through the Juvenile Bureau.

Accident

March 6

At 6:29 p.m., a 22-year-old Nutley man was hit by a vehicle while skateboarding in the street. The victim told police he was in a crosswalk at Bloomfield and Cedar Street, at which time a vehicle turned and struck him. The victim fell to the ground and sustained minor injuries.

March 7

A vehicle owner parked on Franklin Avenue, left and then returned to find their rear window shattered, with a baseball lying on the rear seat. Police said it appeared the NHS baseball team was practicing in the Oval and may have been responsible.

March 8

At 4:20 p.m., several East Centre Street business owners reported graffiti painted on the rear of their buildings facing Owens Park. Police were investigating.

Missing

March 6

 At 6:03 p.m., a woman who police said suffered from Alzheimer's was reported missing on Cortland Street. A search of the area was conducted for several hours, but the 73-year-old was not located. A police broadcast to surrounding towns located the woman safely at a Dwas Lane home in Clifton. The resident invited the woman in and contacted police.

Fraud

March 2

 At 10:45 p.m., a Chestnut Street resident reported a fraudulent charge on her credit when she found a zero balance in the account. The victim said she researched and learned their credit card was used at several area places. Police were investigating.

March 8

At 5:55 p.m., a River Road resident reported they had received an IRS mailing that said their tax return was being audited and that their refund would be delayed. The resident then called the IRS and advised he hadn't filed yet this year and was told to contact police. Police were investigating a possible identity theft.

Miscellaneous

March 3

At 1:35 p.m., a caller on Passaic Avenue reported a car was parked playing a loud stereo. Police arrived, but the vehicle had left.

At 10:18 p.m., a resident reported his 2010 Mercedes Benz had been stolen from a Franklin Avenue parking lot. The vehicle was later located on the south end of Franklin Avenue, where it was originally parked.

March 5

At 4:50 an alert system indicated a vehicle on Centre Street had an invalid registration. The officer stopped the vehicle and found the information correct. The driver was issued a summons, and the vehicle was impounded.

At 10:47 a.m., a Prospect Street resident reported that two men entered their rear yard to steal metal scrap. Police could not locate the suspects.

At 7:48 p.m., an Oakley Terrace resident reported that they hired a tile contractor to replace wall tile around the tub area, but the contractor took a deposit and didn't return for more than five weeks. The resident also said that once the work started it was substandard.

March 6

At 10:26 a.m., a River Road resident reported several postal packages, which he received, were already opened. They said nothing seemed to be missing, and police advised him to contact the carrier.