July 15, 2013
Daniel Couto, 41 of Elizabeth, was arrested after a month-long police investigation.
On June 8th, Roselle Park Police were called to Costa’s Ristorante on Chestnut Street in the early morning hours for a report of a stolen motor vehicle. A Staten Island couple who were attending a party at the restaurant reported that their jackets – containing the ignition key to their 2013 Honda Pilot – were stolen from the coat check room. Upon checking the nearby municipal parking lot, the couple found that their vehicle was missing. Police found video footage of the suspects leaving the restaurant and walking toward the Honda Pilot. The couple also reported that a credit card left in the vehicle was used by suspects in an Elizabeth bar. The ensuing police investigation conducted by Deterctive Hussam Assad revealed that the thieves drove to a bar in the Bayway section of Elizabeth where they used one of the victim’s credit cards to purchase several rounds of drinks.
While at police headquarters today, Couto was charged with auto theft, theft, credit card theft, and credit card fraud. He was released pending an appearance in the Union County Superior Court.
July 20, 2013
Roselle Park Police responded to a report of a stolen motor vehicle on the 100 block of East Webster Avenue. The victim reported that he parked his 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass two hours earlier on the street and had just discovered that it was missing. On July 24th, the Newark Police Department notified RPPD that they recovered the stolen vehicle within their jurisdiction. The owner later took custody of his vehicle.
July 23, 2013
Kamiesha N. Jones, 30 of Roselle Park, was arrested during a traffic stop on Westfield Avenue. Jones, who initially identified herself as “Twakniqua S. Morgan” according to police, was found to have $1,800.00 in warrants from Roselle Park, Union Township, and Scotch Plains. She was released after posting bail.
July 24, 2013
At approximately 11 p.m., Roselle Park Police responded to a report of suspicious activity in the Sunrise Village apartment complex. The complainant reported that he saw two men exit a dark blue Hyundai Sante Fe and discard a large safe near a dumpster. The complainant described the driver as a black male between 25-30 years of age, dark complexion, approximately 5′ 8″, and the passenger as a black male between 25-30 years of age, light complexion, approximately 6′ 2″, wearing camouflage shorts.
Police recovered the Sentry safe, which is described as a gray and black electronic safe, approximately 1.2 cubic feet in size. Police are attempting to identify the suspects as well as the owner of the safe. Anyone with information about the safe or the suspects are urged to contact Detective Robert Harms at (908) 245-2300.
July 25, 2013
Michael C. Able, 26 of East Orange, was arrested by Patrolman Swick during a traffic stop on Westfield Avenue. Able was found inside his parked 2002 Audi in the parking lot of a closed business. According to police, Able identified himself as “Michael C. Hines” and was then found in possession of “Bob Marley synthetic potpourri” – a Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) – and an empty ‘blunt’ wrapper. Able was charged with Hindering Apprehension, Possession of Synthetic Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
July 29, 2013
Kanwar S. Arora and Jason Barreto, both 20 of Roselle Park, were arrested by Patrolman Polakoski during a traffic stop on Jerome Street. Both were found in possession of one (1) bag of suspected marijuana and a ‘blunt’ wrapper. Both were charged with possession of CDS/marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Brian Acosta (aka Brian Acosta Massimino), 32 of Union Township, was arrested at RPPD by Patrolman White on a warrant signed by Detective Hussam Assad for motor vehicle theft, theft, credit card fraud, and credit card theft. The charges stem from an incident at Costa’s Ristorante on June 8th in which Acosta and his accomplice, Daniel Couto, stole a 2013 Honda Pilot. During the theft they located the victim’s purse inside the car. They stole credit cards from the purse then used them at a lounge in Elizabeth, NJ. Couto, 41 from Elizabeth, was arrested at RPPD on July 16th and is currently awaiting his first appearance in Union County Superior Court.
Acosta was unable to post $25,000 bail and is currently incarcerated in the Union County Jail.
July 29, 2013
Robert E. Curtis, 26 of Elizabeth, was arrested during a traffic stop by Patrolman White. Curtis was found to have a $500 warrant from the Elizabeth Municipal Court. Curtis was released after posting bail.
Nicole Nodarse, 25 of Hillsborough, was arrested during a traffic stop by Patrolman Polakoski. Nodarse was was found to have a $90 warrant from the Clark Municipal Court. Nodarse was released after posting bail.
July 30, 2013
Andrew L. Zhang, 21 of West Orange, was arrested during a traffic stop by Patrolman Khallaf. Zhang was found in possession of a wooden pipe containing suspected marijuana. Zhang was charged with possession of CDS/marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
July 31, 2013
At 07:44 a.m., Roselle Park Police responded to a three-vehicle traffic crash on East Westfield Avenue at Sherman Avenue. The driver of a 1996 Dodge Caravan was cited for careless driving and driving on a suspended license after he caused the crash during Wednesday morning’s rush hour. Fabio U. Durango, 54 of Elizabeth, was also arrested on outstanding traffic warrants issued by Union Township’s Municipal Court in the amount of $360. Durango suffered an unspecified head injury and was transported to University Hospital in Newark by Union County EMS. No other injuries were reported in the morning crash. Witnesses describe Durango’s Caravan traveling at a high rate of speed before it crashed into the rear end of a 2007 Ford Econoline van without braking. The Ford then crashed into a 2002 Dodge Neon.
The cause for Durango’s inattention is still under investigation at this point. Durango was released from police custody at University Hospital and given a new appearance in Union Municipal Court.