August 8, 2013
Marcus Rawls, 45 of Newark, was arrested at a business on West Westfield Avenue after the business owner reported that Rawls scammed him out of money. On the scene, Roselle Park Police found the suspect who initially identified himself as Marcus Ross. Rawls is alleged to have bought a small item with a $100 bill then tried confusing the clerk as he gave him the change from the purchase. Rawls was found to have over $5,000 in warrants from Newark, Montclair, and Union. Rawls was charged by Patrolman J. Fitzgerald with theft by deception and later released into the custody of the Township of Union Police Department.
August 9, 2013
On August 7th, an off duty New Jersey State Corrections Officer returned his rental car to the Roselle Park office of Enterprise Car Rental on East Westfield Avenue. The officer mistakenly left behind a uniform shirt and a ballistic vest in the car. He discovered his actions two (2) days later and returned to the car lot to look for his belongings. With the assistance of the store manager, his uniform shirt was found hanging in an outdoor closet but the vest valued at over $1,000 was missing. The victim contacted the police who quickly identified Christian A. Vazquez, age 21 of Belleville, as a suspect. Vazquez was employed as a “car prepper” at the time and was on duty at the time the victim dropped off his car. Vazquez reportedly admitted taking the vest and assisted the police in recovering it from his home.
On August 9th, Vazquez was arrested by Patrolman Nicholas Vaughan and charged with 3rd degree theft and released pending an appearance in the Union County Superior Court.
August 11, 2013
Roselle Park Police responded to a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle on the 500 block of West Colfax Avenue. The victim, a nearby resident, reported that his work van was broken into and several expensive tools were stolen. Over $2,400 in plumbing tools were reported to have been stolen during overnight burglary and theft.
August 14, 2013
Jean W. Souffrant, 23 of West Orange, was arrested by Patrolman Dean Khallaf during a traffic stop. Souffrant was found in possession of a one (1) oz. bag of suspected marijuana. He was found to have a $1,600 warrant from the City of Orange Police Department.
August 15, 2013
Kelvin T. Grant, 46 of Carteret, was arrested by Patrolman Mitchell White during a stop of Grant’s 2013 BMW on Charles Street. Grant was found to have warrants issued by the Union County Sheriff’s Department and the Carteret Police Department. He was later released into custody of the Union County Sheriff’s Department.
August 16, 2013
Roselle Park Police responded to a reported burglary at a home on the 500 block of Hemlock Street. Entry was forced into the home by a “stocky” white male, mid 20s, carrying a backpack, and wearing cargo shorts. The burglary took place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
August 17, 2013
Patrolman Angelo Marino responded to a one vehicle crash near the parking lot of the 7-11 store at the corner of Valley Road at Westfield Avenue. Marino found the vehicle had struck a utility pole as it was exiting the lot. The driver, Raven A. Davis, 24 of Jersey City, was arrested on $1,364 of warrants issued by Bound Brook, Kenilworth, and Manchester municipal courts.
August 18, 2013
A homeowner on the 300 block of Bender Avenue reported the theft of her wedding band during a house party. The victim reported she held a party for over 100 family and friends at her home on Sunday afternoon and soon discovered that her wedding band and engagement ring – valued at over $14,000 – were stolen from her kitchen. The theft is reported to have occurred between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., Patrolman Richard Gaylord stopped a 2004 Nissan for numerous violations on the 100 block of West Westfield Avenue. During the roadside investigation, the passenger, Swadeya K. Starling-Gregory, 20 of Linden, identified herself as Shimese N. Coleman. She was found to have over $1,100 in warrants from Roselle and Woodbridge. Another passenger, Bagethy Bonnet, 27 from Newark, identified himself as Andre Lewis. Both were charged with traffic violations and Hindering Apprehension, and were later lodged into the Union County Jail.
August 19, 2013
Eric Ortiz, 23 of Sayreville, was arrested and charged with Harassment and Contempt of Court. Ortiz turned himself in at police headquarters and posted $2,500 bail before being released.
August 20, 2013
Police are investigating numerous thefts of delivered packages from single family homes in the borough. At least five residents have reported that packages delivered by FedEx or UPS have been stolen from the front door areas of their homes over the last two weeks. A few of the victims reported that a heavy-set white or Latino male driving a white four-door vehicle has been spotted near their homes shortly after the delivery of the packages. Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Robert Harms at (908) 245 2300.