Friday, May 31, 2013

MAPLEWOOD COPS NAB MAN WANTED IN TWO OTHER TOWNS FOR TOW YARD THEFTS

Maplewood Police reported today:

May 28, 2013; Motor Vehicle Theft; At approximately 2:45AM, Officers responded to Newark Way on a report of a vehicle ramming the gate to the tow yard.  Upon their arrival it was discovered that several vehicles had been entered, two were missing their radios and a vehicle had been stolen from the lot.  The MPD detectives were able to locate the vehicle in Irvington the following day and with the assistance of Union Police Department took the actor into custody.  The actor was identified as Christopher Ransom, age 42 of Irvington NJ.  Maplewood PD charged him with burglary and theft of moveable property.  He was also charged by Union PD and Mountainside PD for similar offenses. 

In other police action:

May 21, 2013; Burglary Garage; During the overnight hours, a garage on Parker Ave and a garage on Ball Pl were entered and bicycles removed.

May 20, 2013; Thefts from Autos; During the overnight hours a vehicle on Garfield Pl was entered and a bag containing a computer was removed.  The vehicle is believed to have been left unlocked. 

May 22, 2013; Burglary; During the daytime hours a home on Rynda Rd was entered.  The homeowner reported jewelry and electronics missing from the home.


SCHOOL DISTRICT SURVEY ENDS TODAY

Today is the last day to fill out the South Orange-Maplewood School District satisfactory survey.

This notice from the school district, which is a bit sad that it has a misspelled word, explains:

The South Orange Maplewood School District invites you to participate in a satisfaction survey. Your input on the quality of education the district provides to your students and your experiences with the district will be invaluable as we plan for the future.  Everyone taking this survey is completely anonymous, and you are encouranged to answer questions carefully and honestly.

If you have more than one child attending school, please complete one survey for each child.  When you complete your first responses, click on the link to begin again.  The deadline for the survey has been extended and will run through Friday, May 31, 2013.

Take the survey HERE.

MAPLEWOODIAN.COM GIRLS SOFTBALL WINS AGAIN!

The Maplewoodian.com girls softball team won their second game in two days Thursday night with a comeback 7-6 victory over The Cyclones, taking them to a respectable 5-2-1 record.

See them again Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Memorial Park against South Orange-Maplewood Kiwanis.

ST. JAMES GATE HEARING POSTPONED

Today's hearing for St. James Gate to answer charges of serving alcohol to a minor and not following proper record keeping has been postponed to the June 18 Township Committee meeting, PATCH reports.

In addition, a plea deal may be in the works.

See the background HERE.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

PENN STATION OUTBOUND TRAIN CANCELLED, FUTURE DELAYS LIKELY

From NJ Transit today:

Travel Alerts
May 30, 2013  03:50:16 PM
Morris & Essex Line train #6341, the 4:09pm NYPS departure is CANCELLED. Passengers to train #6441, the 4:18pm NYPS departure.
May 30, 2013  01:19:26 PM
Due to River dredging near Secaucus through June 17, 2013 & opening of Portal Bridge for increased marine traffic, NEC, NJCL & Midtown Direct trains are subject to periodic service delays.

BIKE STOLEN FROM CHS

...Scanner indicates bike stolen from Columbia High School, but video surveillance being reviewed...


POST OFFICE SHUTDOWN, WOMEN'S CLUB SALE SPARKS NEW MOVEMENT, MEETING TONIGHT

This week's final deal to have the Township purchase the Women's Club for just over $1 million, and the pending shutdown of the main post office, has sparked a new movement to find out more, and perhaps shape, what the next moves will be.

John Harvey, a local resident, and a group called Why Maplewood, is holding a meeting tonight at Morrow Church to discuss the related issues.

See this notice from them below:
To all, I hope your week is off to a good start.  I apologize for the short notice but I am hoping you will be able to attend a one-hour meeting at 8 PM Thursday evening at Morrow Memorial Church at the corner of Baker Street and Ridgewood Road.  

The why behind the meeting is driven by a a core group of local residents and merchants who want to influence local politics and politicians to be more transparent, forthcoming, and engaging in making local decisions.  

For example, there is not a clear public understanding of the why, how, and what of the Post Office redevelopment, where the development plan could become an ordinance in the next few weeks.  

Additionally, tomorrow the TC closes on the purchase of the Women's Club property for just over $1M.  Again, there is a lack of clarity on the future use of the building, the actual cost of restoration - it could be as high as $1.7M, nor the net tax impact to you and me.

At Thursday's meeting several merchants and residents will share our beliefs in the hope that they connect with your beliefs about local politics.  We also want to know your perspective - do these changes to the Village matter to you?  If so, how much?  Do you know the potential impact of the changes? 

If these decisions matter we want to share some ideas and discuss with you how we can influence politics, governance, and decision-making locally, in a positive way.   

It would also be appreciated if you would reply to let me know if you are willing and able to join us for an hour.  I hope to connect on Thursday.  

I have attached a flyer communicating Thursday's event.  Please share the information with others who might be interested.  

If you are a merchant it would be appreciated if you would display the flyer in your store window.  I can drop off a copy if you do not have access to a printer.  

In the meantime, have a great week - John

MAPLEWOODIAN.COM GIRLS SOFTBALL WINS A CLOSE ONE

Maplewoodian.com girls softball won a close one Wednesday night, beating South Orange Pharmacy, 2-1, at New Waterlands Field in South Orange.

See them again tonight at 6 p.m. at Memorial Park as they take on The Cyclones.

Come out and root them on!

DE LUCA WANTS YOU AT BUILDING MEETING

This from the mayor last night....

I want to remind you about the Building One New Jersey meeting on Thursday, May 30th at 7:00pm in West Orange. It will be at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, 350 Pleasant Valley Way.

The Township has been active in Building One New Jersey to promote our standing in the state and nationally as a diverse, inclusive and sustainable first suburb. Maplewood has applied for a grant from Together North Jersey and a good showing at this meeting from our town will be a real plus. The proposal focuses on economic development and sustainability issues along the Irvington Avenue corridor from Irvington to South Orange, and the residential neighborhood surrounding it. It incorporates realistic, achievable strategies to revitalize the area into a safer, more cohesive, and more desirable neighborhood to live, shop, and own a business in.

The meeting will include a presentation of new demographic data by Professor David Troutt of Rutgers Newark Law School and Director of the Center on Law in Metro Equity. According to Troutt, “The phrase ‘stable and inclusive communities and an environmentally sustainable region’ means different things to different people. It means investing infrastructure dollars in diverse, inclusive and transit friendly communities like West Orange, Bloomfield, Montclair, Maplewood and South Orange while promoting regional cooperation and a better balance of housing to bring working families within reach of good jobs, schools and transportation.”

There also will be an opportunity for the meeting participants to electronically share their views on important questions that may impact our community.
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I hope you will join me in West Orange on Thursday, May 30th.
Let me know if you can be there or need a ride.

Vic

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

WOMEN'S CLUB SALE DONE DEAL

Township officials formally closed the deal on the Women's Club Wednesday, finalizing the sale in a ceremony at the building, which the Township bought for just over $1 million.

Now the real questions begin on what will happen to the building. 

Will the township tear it down and expand parking?

Will the township fix it up, at a greater cost, and run it as a club-like location?

Will the township face lawsuits similar to those local residents filed against the previous owners, again resulting in further costs to taxpayers?

We will see.

MAPLEWOODIAN.COM SOFTBALL PLAYS TONIGHT

Maplewoodian.com girls softball plays South Orange Pharmacy tonight at 7:45 p.m. at New Waterlands Field in South Orange.

If it doesn't get rained out again, that is.

Come out and root them on.

TOWNSHIP TEAM WINS LIBRARY QUIZ

PATCH reports:

The ultimate winner was the Township Officials team, triumphant after multiple attempts to break their tie with South Mountain Reservation. The Fire Department team got quite a few laughs, getting incorrect answers to some basic questions about Maplewood street names. The Police team did fare slightly better. Other teams included: Town Hall Quizettes; Maplewood Garden Club; Durand-Hedden; and a foursome of local Realtors. The Wissel family entered as a team, and many local businesses and individuals sponsored or participated on teams. 

See more HERE.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

PARKING SPOT LOST, HANDICAP SPOT GAINED

With all of last week's re-striping of street parking and parking lots, we noticed three parking spots in the lot next to Village Coffee were removed and replaced with two handicapped spots.




Is this good or bad?

DO YOU HAVE SCHOOL TODAY - CHECK AND SEE

So the final fallout from Hurricane Sandy days off hits today as Columbia High School, South Orange Middle School, and Seth Boyden, Marshall, and South Mountain elementary schools have no classes today.

All others are on for school.

PAJAMA STORY TIME TONIGHT




7:00pm

Pajama Storytime 
Ages 2 - 10 * Drop In 
Tues 5/28 @ 7pm 
Hilton Branch 
All children must be 
accompanied by an adult 

SCENES FROM MEMORIAL DAY 2013

Photo: Cloey Strupp

Photo: Cloey Strupp





Monday, May 27, 2013

MAYOR DE LUCA'S MEMORIAL DAY SPEECH



Memorial Day 2013
Remarks by Mayor Vic De Luca

On behalf of my colleagues on the Maplewood Township Committee – Kathy Leventhal, Jerry Ryan, Marlon Brownlee and India Larrier – I wish you a safe and peaceful Memorial Day.

Thank you Maplewood Memorial Post 10120 Veterans of Foreign Wars for sponsoring today’s parade and memorial service. Because of your efforts, we will always remember the shoulders on which we stand, those who fought and died to protect our freedoms.

Some forty years ago I was a college anti-war activist and never thought that I would be making remarks at a Memorial Day service. Like many in my generation, I was confused about how to honor the fallen warriors without honoring war itself.

But that confusion is gone. The liberties I enjoy today – including the right to speak out against war – were preserved and strengthened by the actions of more than 1.2 million American men and women who died in past and current military conflicts. We will never know what these heroes would have attained had they lived but we do know that their personal sacrifices allow us to live life to the fullest.

Those we honor on Memorial Day are the people – sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands – who bravely paid the ultimate price so we could live in a free society. They and their families deserve our everlasting gratitude and our promise to work to protect the ideals and freedoms for which they died.

We are proud to be Americans. And in Maplewood, we are what is best about our nation. We embrace diversity yet are united as one people. Our open and welcoming community represents the liberty that America promises and that so many gave of their lives to protect.

Today is a time of remembrance and reflection. And we join hundreds of communities across this great land in honoring those who gave of their lives to protect ours.

President Abraham Lincoln told us it was the job of the living to remember the sacrifices made and that it was our responsibility to complete the promise of the founding principles of our nation. Let us join together to work for peace and justice and seek to end conflict and violence throughout the world. Today, we honor the fallen warriors by pledging to make our world a better and safer place for our children and generations to come.

Thank you.

MAPLEWOOD POOL OPEN

In case you missed it, the Maplewood Pool opened this weekend and is open today and everyday, with limited hours until school ends, through the summer.

Complete schedule below:

    May 25th- June 16th: open on Weekends from 12:00pm-6:00pm
                                    (Saturdays and Sundays)


    June 17th- June 28th:weekdays from 3:00pm-8:00pm
                                     weekends from 10:00am-8:00pm


    June 29th- September 2nd: weekdays from 12pm-8:00pm

                                             weekends from 10:00am-8:00pm

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE AND DUCK RACE INFO

The Maplewood Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. and marchers should assemble by 8:30 at the Columbia High School student parking lot (across from Gleason's) on West Parker Ave. 
The route goes north on West Parker, then left onto Maplewood Ave through town, left on Baker Street past Maplewood Middle School and then left on Valley, ending at Town Hall. The parade lasts approximately 40 minutes

SO/Maplewood Kiwanis Memorial Day Duck Race

Time:  11:00am

Information:  Six duck races starting at 11:00AM following the festivities on the front lawn of Town Hall. Tickets may be obtained on the Oakview Ave bridge prior to all races. Prizes awarded to the first 12 ducks in each heat, donated by the Kiwanis and local merchants.

Kiwanis will have an entry in the Memorial Day parade including the Duck and a contingent of kids from the SouthMountain Y.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

MAYFEST IS TODAY

OUR MAPLEWOOD MEMORIAL DAY VIDEO

Our tribute to Maplewood's own:

SIX OPEN HOUSES TODAY

Check out your next home or see what is selling for what.

See the list HERE.


And check out our featured home of the week below:


41 Marie Pl.
Price: $359,000


Bedrooms: 3

Full Bathrooms: 2




Photo of home for sale at 41 Marie Pl, Maplewood Township NJ

Saturday, May 25, 2013

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE LINE-UP RELEASED

Maplewood Memorial Day Parade
 
The Maplewood Memorial Day Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. and marchers should assemble by 8:30 at the Columbia High School student parking lot (across from Gleason's) on West Parker Ave. 
The route goes north on West Parker, then left onto Maplewood Ave through town, left on Baker Street past Maplewood Middle School and then left on Valley, ending at Town Hall. The parade lasts approximately 40 minutes
Order of March as of Friday, May 24, 2013; 2:30pm:

Division 1 - Police Escort Vehicle

Division 2 - Ceremony Participants
1 - Honor Guard
2 - Veterans / John Dilly w/ green corvette
3 - Township Jitney - available to all unable to march
4 - Maplewood Committee for Servicemen and Women
5 - Township Committee and Officials
6- Columbia High School Cougar Marching Band

Division 3 - Community Groups
1 - 1978 Maplewood Arts Center
2 - South Orange Elks, Lodge 1154
3 - Strollers
4 - 4th of July Committee - Tin Can Man
5 - Hilton Neighborhood Association
6 - InterAct
7 - South Mountain Peace Action
8 - Community Coalition on Race
9 - MapleWoodstock

Division - 4 Youth Groups
1 - Boy Scouts - Cub Scouts # 19; Boy Scouts ( Pack 60, 20, 5, 3 )
2 - Girl Scout - Daisies, Brownies, Scouts
3 - Maplewood Community Band / Hilton Neighborhood Association
4 - Tuscan School
5 - Clinton School

Division - 5 Service Organizations
1 - Kiwanis / SO/M YMCA
2 - Maplewood First Aid Squad
3 - Maplewood Fire Department 

GREAT MUSIC TONIGHT AT HP/CRANE'S


The [sma] project tonight at Highland Place, 

Highland Place/Crane's is the home of delicious steaks and chops cooked on a wood-burning grill, affordable family meals, Crane's Deli during daytime hours, and the hottest live music around. (www.hpcranes.com)

the [steve + mike acoustic] project will be playing from 9:00pm-12:00am in the Bar Area.


Friday, May 24, 2013

TRIAN DELAYS THIS MORNING

From NJ Transit:

Travel Alerts
May 24, 2013  07:32:41 AM
Trains are operating with 10 to 15 minute delays in and out of NY due to bridge opening.
May 24, 2013  07:29:28 AM
Morris & Essex Line train #6406, the 7:28am arrival into New York Penn Station is up to 15 min. delay, due to bridge opening.
May 24, 2013  07:00:30 AM
Morris & Essex Line train #0872, the 6:42am departure from Hackettstown is up to 15 min. delay, due to mechanical problem.
May 24, 2013  06:53:31 AM
Morris & Essex Line train #0607, the 6:44am departure from Orange Station is up to 10 min. delay, due to late train ahead.

LATEST POST OFFICE PLAN RELEASED

PATCH has a good updated version of the latest Post Office redevelopment plan:

1. Building should be a maximum of two stories on Maplewood Avenue and Ricalton Square. Third story should be set back one foot for each foot above 30 feet in height. Forty feet remains as the maximum height of the building so the third floor has to be set back 10 feet. 
2. Because the property slopes about 10 feet when going south (toward Village Coffee), there can befour stories on that end of the building (ground level and three floors above). The fourth story should be set back two feet for every one foot over 40 feet on that side of the building.
3. The traffic study should include the entire Special Improvement District (all the Village and Dunnell Road) and access roads to and from the Village.
4. The Planning Board agreed with the Maplewood Village Alliance (MVA)'s suggestion to widen sidewalks from 11 to 15 feet. There is a zero setback from the sidewalk. (Note: This will pull the building back and improve the viewshed.)
5. Path behind the building will function as a bike path, with lighting added. 


Read more HERE.


Thursday, May 23, 2013

MAPLEWOODIAN.COM SOFTBALL WINS, SORT OF

Maplewoodian.com girls softball beat South Orange-Maplewood Kiwanis last night, 6-2, but it was only a scrimmage as the other team forfeited without enough players.

Still, a nice way to play. Our next game is not until next Wednesday, so root them on then!

MAPLEWOOD SHOOTING TIED TO 10 OTHER ROBBERIES, REWARD OFFERED

The Essex County Sheriff's Office is offering a $5,000 reward in the April 1, 2013 shooting of a clerk at MS & K Confectionery in Maplewood and tying the crime to 10 other robberies in the area.

This notice posted by the sheriff's office:


Reward Offer in 11 Armed Robberies


Newark – Law enforcement authorities today posted a cash reward offer for information that leads to the arrest of two suspects wanted in connection with multiple armed robberies in multiple municipalities in three north Jersey counties.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that the Crimestoppers program would pay up to $5,000 for details that lead to arrests.
Fontoura said that since February 1, 2013 the two suspects are believed to have robbed eleven convenience stores, liquor stores and gas stations.
The suspects are described as two black males dressed all in black and wearing hoodies and black masks. The suspects carry large backpacks and a red messenger-style bag with a red stripe.
Fontoura said that upon entering the stores the suspects point a large silver handgun to the head of the clerk and demand cash. The clerks are then bound with ziplock ties while the registers are cleaned out. In addition to taking cash, the suspects have also stolen Newport cigarettes in each robbery.
Among the locations robbed are:
Feb. 1, 2013 – convenience store in Linden
Feb. 1, 2013 – gas station in Newark
Feb. 2, 2013 – Shoppers Express in Belleville
Feb. 11, 2013 – Krauszer’s in Kearny
Feb. 13 – Krauszer’s in Bloomfield
Feb. 19, 2013 – convenience store in Newark
March 29, 2013 – Krauszer’s in Bloomfield
Apr. 1, 2013 – liquor store in Maplewood (clerk shot in chest)
Apr. 17, 2013 – convenience store in Belleville
Apr. 17, 2013 – liquor store in Linden
Apr. 24, 2013 – Krauszer’s in West Orange
Persons with information about the armed robberies are urged to call Belleville Police Det. Joe Mundy at 973-450-3351, Kearny Police Det. Sgt. John View at 862-215-5803 or Maplewood Police Det. Ray Rosonia at 973-761-7927.
All calls to law enforcement will be kept confidential.

DE LUCA NOTE URGES ATTENDANCE AT BUILDING MEETING

This from mayor Vic De Luca today:

The Township has been active in Building One New Jersey to promote our standing in the state and nationally as a diverse, inclusive and sustainable first suburb. I hope you will attend the next meeting at7:00pm on Thursday, May 30th in West Orange.

Maplewood has applied for a grant from Together North Jersey and a good showing at this meeting from our town will be a real plus. There will be plenty of time during the meeting to provide your thoughts and ideas. Please let me know if you are able to attend.

Thanks.

Vic
Building One New Jersey
Dear Friend,

You are invited to participate in an important policy briefing and discussion about the future of our region on Thursday, May 30, 2013 from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, 350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ, 07052.

A partial list of confirmed attendees includes: Speaker Sheila Oliver, Assemblyman Tom Giblin, Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, Freeholder Brendan Gill, Mayor Anzaldi of Clifton, Mayor Robert Jackson of Montclair, Mayor Vic DeLuca of Maplewood, Mayor Alex Torpey of South Orange, Councilpersons Renee Jackson and Bob Russo of Montclair, and Board of Education Members Sandra Mordecai, Shane Berger, Norman Rosenblum and Elisabeth Ginsburg of West Orange, Bloomfield, Montclair and Glen Ridge.
Recently, our region received a $5 million Sustainable Communities Initiative grant from HUD to create a “Regional Plan for Sustainable Development” to promote stable and inclusive communities and an environmentally sustainable region. The purpose of this plan is to influence the direction of billions of state and federal dollars that are needed and expected to be invested in housing, water and transportation infrastructure over the next decade.

The entity created to fulfill this grant is called TOGETHER North Jersey (TNJ) housed at the Voorhees Transportation Center of theBloustein School at Rutgers University. Building One New Jersey (BONJ) is a major partner in this initiative and is helping organize a series of conversations across our region.

As you know, New Jersey’s older communities and towns are vital, diverse and at the heart of the American Dream - towns like Bloomfield, South Orange, Montclair, West Orange, Maplewood, Clifton, and Belleville. Yet we face huge challenges from a slow economic recovery and the absence of federal and state policies that support communities like ours. Over the past year, through BONJ, a group of local elected officials and citizens from our area has been discussing ways to work together to make sure our collective voices are heard in Trenton and Washington in order to build a better future for our towns.

This event and the TNJ program is an opportunity for us to build support for policies to help towns like ours. The phrase “stable and inclusive communities and an environmentally sustainable region” means different things to different people. We believe it means investing infrastructure dollars in diverse, inclusive and transit friendly communities like ours while promoting regional cooperation and a better balance of housing to bring working families within reach of good jobs, schools and transportation.
We have a tremendous opportunity to shape the future of northern New Jersey but we need to be at the table. To confirm your attendance or if you have any questions please contact Jerry Fried at jerryfriedhome@gmail.com or 862-596-3492.

We look forward to your participation.

Sincerely,
Mayor Vic De Luca, Maplewood
Mayor Alex Torpey, South Orange
Mayor Robert Jackson, Montclair
Councilwoman Sue McCartney, West Orange
Jerry Fried, former Mayor of Montclair
Jon Carnegie, Voorhees Transportation Center of the Bloustein School of Rutgers University

TC RESCHEDULES NEXT MEETING AFTER PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT

This alert sent out today:

June 4th Township Committee Meeting rescheduled to June 5th

The Township Committee Meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday June 4, 2013 will be rescheduled to Wednesday June 5, 2013 at 7:30pm due to the NJ primary elections.

BIG LIBRARY EVENTS TODAY

Lots going on today at our wonderful libraries:


Bone screening 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
On Springfield Avenue in front of Hilton Branch - Find out if you are at risk for developing osteoporosis or fractures.  Noninvasive  ultrasound provides immediate results.  The test is fast and easy.  Individual counseling is also provided.  For an appointment, call 1-800-247-9580. Drop-ins are also welcome. There is a $10 fee. 
Teen Tech 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm ( Repeating Weekly on Thu, until May 30, 2013 )


Main Library – Teens, join us in Memorial Hall to play Wii, Playstation 2, use laptops or just hang out.
 Writing Lab 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm 
Hilton Branch * All ages * One-on-one writing help for students.  The lab is staffed by trained coaches and will help improve each student’s writing in all subject areas. Students may bring some writing ideas or an assignment from school. No registration necessary – just drop in.  
Bingo 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm 
Hilton Branch * Drop in * All ages
If you know your numbers, you can play!  Come for a fun game of B-I-N-G-O!

Adult Book Chat 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm 
Hilton Branch – Join us for a no-holds-barred discussion of titles, authors and themes in this gritty, powerful genre.  Hosted by Hilton Branch head Ina Rimpau.

TC APPROVES BUDGET WITH 2.5% TAX HIKE.

The Township Committee on Tuesday approved a $39.6 million budget for fiscal 2013-2014, with a 2.5% tax hike.

See the detailed budget HERE.

This is above the state-mandated 2% cap, but allowed because previous tax increases had been lower, zero in 2011 and 1.99% last year.




BIG LIBRARY QUIZ SHOW TONIGHT

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

CELL PHONE THEFTS, CAR-JACKING AND OTHER CRIMES MARK WEEK

Lots of scary stuff from Maplewood police this week, but at least half ended in arrests. Good work!

May 14, 2013; Robbery; At approximately 5 PM a juvenile and Maplewood resident was walking on Wellesley St had his cell phone stolen.  A silver vehicle occupied by three males pulled up next to the juvenile and a passenger asked directions and to borrow the victim’s cell phone.  When the victim came closer to the car, the passenger grabbed his arm and then the cell phone from his hand. 

The police department was notified within a few minutes and an alert for the
vehicle was put out to surrounding towns. Union PD located the vehicle occupied by one male. The Detective Bureau  was able to identify the actors as Ryan Casimir, age 18, Roulston Lajeunesse, age 18, and Cleefton Paulzin, age 19 all of Union.  All were arrested and charged with robbery and conspiracy.

May 15, 2013; Thefts from Autos; During the early morning hours of May 15, 2013, unknown persons entered and rummaged through cars parked in the driveways ofthree different residences, two on Hillcrest Rd and one on Lindsley Ave. In all instances where a car was entered it was determined that those vehicles were left unlocked. The proceeds of the car entries were change and a GPS unit.

May 15, 2013; Theft; At approximately 11:00 AM, a witness observed four
juveniles taking bicycles out of a neighbors open garage on Richmond Ave. 
Patrols responded to the area and observed four juveniles matching the
description on bicycles on Midland Blvd.  Officer Richard Wright and Eddie Raith stopped the group and conducted a field interview of them.  It was determined that the four Newark residents were involved in the theft of the bicycles.  All four were taken into custody.

May 16, 2013; Robbery; At approximately 4:10 AM, Officer Fields was on patrol
and was flagged down by the clerk in front of the 7-11 located on Springfield
Ave.  He reported that a man was attempting to rob him with a knife.  Officer
Fields observed the actor run from the store and gave chase.  The male later
identified as Bryan Slade, age 29 of Maplewood was taken into custody in Dehart Park after a foot chase. The weapon, a kitchen knife was also recovered.  Slade was charged with robbery and weapons charges and remanded to Essex County Jail.

May 18, 2013; Robbery; At approximately 5:45 PM, a 24 year old female, East
Orange resident was standing outside of her vehicle on Tuscan St.  Three male
juveniles were walking past her when one of them bumped into her, grabbed her cell phone out of her hand and then ran off with the phone.  The victim
attempted to chase the actor, but lost sight of him a few blocks away.  Patrols responded to the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

May 20, 2013; Motor Vehicle Theft; At approximately 2 PM, A Maplewood resident stopped their vehicle, a Porsche Cayenne at the traffic light at Elmwood Ave and Boyden Ave.  Two male pedestrians began yelling to him that he had a flat tire. 

When the driver got out to investigate, the males ran and entered his vehicle
which was left running.  They fled in the vehicle on Orchard Rd and were last
observed turning East on Parker Ave towards Irvington.  The vehicle was later
recovered parked and unoccupied in Newark.


All incidents are currently under investigation by the Detective Bureau. 
Residents are asked to practice good crime prevention techniques and secure

their garages and automobiles when left unattended.