At 7:43 p.m. Feb. 18 a caller from Huff Avenue reported hearing a window being broken in a building abandoned for more than a year. Patrols confirmed broken glass and contacted a neighbor, who was to board up the window.
Two men were caught entering a vacant house on Huff Avenue, thanks to a call to police at 8:07 a.m. Feb. 19. Patrols and Detective Lt. John Crater responded. Diego Ayala, 28, of Manville and Andres Ochoa-Cardenas (also known as Carlos Lopez Talledo), 31, of Somerville were charged with third-degree-burglary. Both were lodged in Somerset County Jail in default of bail, $20,000 for Mr. Ayala and $30,000 for Mr. Ochoa-Cardenas. The value of items taken was zero, police said. A garbage collector accidentally walked into a 1995 GMC, damaging the driver’s side mirror, while collecting trash on North 7th Avenue at 9 a.m. Feb. 19. There was no answer at the door, and a note was left.
The security manager at Walmart reported an internal theft at 12:38 p.m. Feb. 20. After police consulted with the prosecutor’s office, Tina Pender, 21, of Matawan was charged with a borough summons for taking about $8,000 worth of merchandise between November 2011 and February 2013. She was released.
An unsubstantiated report of a man approaching a child triggered extra police patrols around the schools on Feb. 19 and 22. Police reported extra patrols at schools on Brooks Boulevard and North Main Street from 2:10 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19.
More extra patrols were noted Friday morning before Rosemary Perotti, the principal of Roosevelt School, said at 8:06 a.m. that a fourth-grade student reported being approached by a suspicious man the previous morning between 7:30 and 8 a.m.
Patrols and detectives responded and an investigation continues. Police said they take such calls seriously and are always patrolling more at school start and end times.
A West Camplain Road woman reported a possible burglary to her apartment at 4:29 p.m. Friday. Patrols responded and said there was no burglary but there was damage (estimated at $400) to a door frame. The victim was to contact the landlord for repair.
At 5:41 p.m. Feb. 22 a View Street woman reported the theft of her Toyota pickup truck bed extender, valued at $250, from her driveway sometime between Feb. 15 and 22.
Patrols took four juveniles into custody at 9:16 p.m. Friday for underage possession of alcohol when called to a report of youngsters on playground equipment of Memorial Park. All juveniles were released to parents.
WEEK OF FEB. 11-17
A caller at 1:19 p.m. Feb. 11 said that someone had forced entry to the office of PJ’s Steakhouse/Rhythm’s Bar on South Main Street. Police said $1,200 in cash was stolen from a file drawer since 2 a.m. Sunday. Detectives were called.
At 9:28 a.m. Feb. 12 Kevin Plant of Bridgewater reported a burglary at his abandoned rental residence on Boesel Avenue. Patrols found evidence of forced entry as well as $130 of copper plumbing removed. Lt. John Crater responded..
A representative of the Division of Taxation came to headquarters at 11:19 a.m. Feb. 13 and asked for an officer to stand by while they seized a business on Kennedy Boulevard. Police stood by and reported the two parties came to an agreement. .
Patrolman John Granahan said he was flagged down at 11:12 a.m. Feb. 14 about a fight in the lanes of Adesa Auto Auction. Officers spoke to two men from Haledon and one from North Plainfield about an argument over traffic direction. All parties were advised of their right to sign complaints, police said.
A Newark man came to headquarters at 1:12 p.m. Feb. 14 to report losing his wallet that morning while working at Adesa. In it were his driver’s license, credit and debit cards, Essex County PBA card and $30 cash. It was recorded as a matter of record.
A Wyoming Place man came to headquarters at 3:49 p.m. Feb. 14 to report theft of his Visa debit card. The card had been used to withdraw $200, he said, but the bank would not tell him where. He wanted it on the record.
A North Main Street woman came to headquarters at 5:04 p.m. Feb. 14 to report her vehicle was keyed in the overnight hours. Police confirmed scratches to the passenger side. Estimated damage was $500.
An anonymous man dropped off a New Jersey vehicle registration and insurance card at headquarters at 7:38 a.m. Feb. 15. It belonged to a Bridgewater man, who was called.
An Angle Avenue man reported at 10 a.m. Feb. 15 that someone broke into his home and stole copper pipes (estimated to be worth $95) and now has water in his basement. Detective Craig Jeremiah responded. Patrols found a forced entry through a rear window in past week.
Adesa Auto Auction reported having a stolen vehicle at 11:22 Feb 15. Patrols conformed the 2006 Chrysler was stolen in Jersey City, whose police were sent teletypes.
Patrols went to West Camplain Road at 11:42 p.m. to intervene in a disagreement between two men over who should pay a bar tab. Parties were advised of their rights.
A West Camplain Road woman said at 4:15 p.m. Feb. 17 that someone threw a rock at her vehicle in area of Washington and North 8th Avenue, damaging the side mirror to the tune of about $250. Police checked the area, to no avail.

