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.