Police Blotter: Two Robbed at Gunpoint Early Today

July 29

Two men were robbed at gunpoint by suspects who fled in a silver Subaru wagon, police said.

The victims were walking south near 13 Heckel St. at 2:33 am when the Subaru pulled in front of them. Two of the four passengers got out and approached the victims, with one of the assailants placing a black handgun against the head of one of the victims and demanding money. The victims, who had no cash, gave the assailants their cell phones and a set of keys, police said. The assailants returned to the car, which fled south on Heckel, crossed Bloomfield Avenue and onto N. 13th Street, heading south towards Newark.

The man who pulled the gun was described as Hispanic, 5’7” and 140 lbs., wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. A black bandanna covered his face below the nose, police said

The other suspect was described as Hispanic, 5’6” and 130 lbs., wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and a netted cap stretched over his face. Police have reviewed surveillance video of the crime and are continuing their investigation.

July 28

A car belonging to the owner of a Division Avenue deli was stolen while it was parked in front of the business, police said.

The owner last saw the 1996 Honda parked at 6 Division Ave. between 9:30 and 10 am. He noticed it missing at 3:18 pm and called police.

July 27

At 4:57 pm, a bicycle that had been chained in an apartment building basement was reported stolen by the roommate of the bicycle’s owner.

The $300 Diamondback bike was last seen July 20 in the basement of 102 Dow St., which is accessible to all the tenants, police said. The owner of the bicycle was on vacation at the time it was reported stolen by the roommate, police also said.

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At 12:11 pm, the owner of a 2009 Acura said someone had pelted the vehicle with eggs while it was parked in the driveway of 22 Ruttan Road.  A similar incident was reported at 11:55 am at 14 Plenge Drive, where a 2006 Pontiac has also been pelted with eggs, police said.

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Two Newark men were arrested after they allegedly admitted to police they were planning on breaking into parked cars to steal GPS units, police said.
Police on patrol at 2:33 am reportedly observed Christian Marte, 18, and 20-year-old Carlos Pena on bicycles and peering into the window of a Nissan Altima parked near 163 Washington Ave.

When police approached the two, Pena dropped his bike and ran south on Washington but was quickly caught, police said. As he ran, Pena allegedly dropped a mask and was later found in possession of a knife, a screwdriver and five small bags of marijuana, police said. He was charged with possession of a weapon, possession of marijuana, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest by flight. He was held on $2,500 and transferred to the Essex County jail in Newark.

Marte was carrying a bag containing a hammer and a Taser electric stun gun, police said. He was also in possession of a switchblade, police said. He was charged with weapons possession and possession of burglary tools and held on $2,500 bail at the Essex County jail.

July 26

Kearny residents Alexander Harkes, 27, and Thomas Conlon, 45, were arrested at 8:06 pm on drug possession charges.

The two men were observed acting suspiciously as they stood near the corner of Cortlandt Street and Schuyler Avenue, police said. When officers approached, one of the men dropped an object to the ground, a small glass vial containing cocaine, police said. Also found on the ground nearby were four more glass vials. After they were arrested, police found a plastic bag containing an additional 30 vials of cocaine protruding from the pants pocket of one of the men.

Both were charged with possession of cocaine and released.

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Police twice responded to 68 and 72 Campbell St. following an argument and harassment accusations exchanged between the neighbors.

The resident of 68 Campbell St. was walking his dog around 10 pm the night before when a neighbor’s dog left the yard and attacked the other animal. After the dogs were separated, the neighbors “had words,” a department spokesman said.

At 1:40 am, the resident of 68 Campbell said he was sitting on his front stoop with his girlfriend when the resident of 72 Campbell began harassing them. When questioned, the resident of 72 Campbell said it was he who had been harassed. No charges were filed by police.

July 25

A woman was bitten by a shih tzu while she was walking her own dog, also a shih tzu, at 1:55 pm.

The woman was walking her dog near 184 Mill St. when an 8-year-old girl walked a shih tzu belonging to her parents. The girl’s dog broke free from the girl’s grasp and bit the woman on the chest, police said. Police later determined that the dog was current on its vaccinations.

The woman was told she could have a summons issued, while the parents of the 8-year-old were advised not to let her walk the dog again.

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A Linden Avenue man told police he was being harassed via phone calls by a former acquaintance, against whom the victim had a legal judgement, police said. The incident was reported at 1:10 pm.

July 24

A 14-year-old Newark boy was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia at around 7:24 pm.

The youth and two others were sitting on the steps of School 4, 20 Magnolia St., when police approached to ask what they were doing. Officers said they smelled marijuana and saw one of the three stuffing something into his pants pocket, police said. The two companions were questioned and released at the scene.

Police found a plastic bag containing a pipe with burnt marijuana residue in the bowl. A baggie containing marijuana residue was also recovered from the youth, police said. He was arrested and later released to the custody of his father.

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At 11:45 pm, the owner of a 2007 Ford Mustang told police someone had damaged the vehicle while it was parked near 217 Linden Ave. The car was parked there July 22.

The side view mirror of the car had been broken and the hood had been scratched, police said.

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Two people were arrested for shoplifting at 7:38 pm after they had left the scene in a car, police said.

Store security at the CVS drug store, 519 Washington Ave., called police and said a man and woman had left the store with a $19 pack of Boost energy drink, then drove off in a gray Honda Accord traveling south on Washington Avenue.

Police stopped the vehicle at Mill Street and Washington Avenue, then brought the security guard to the scene. After being positively identified by the guard, Yolanda Nieves, 36, of Belleville, and 41-year-old Edison resident Peter Carlo were taken into custody.

Nieves, who had an outstanding warrant against her, was held on $1,250 bail.  Carlo was held on $500 bail.