During the period between March 13, 2023, through March 19, 2023, members of the GRPD handled 296 calls for service, the highlights of which included:
03-13-2023
4:58 PM – A Glen Rock resident reported that they discovered that someone had hacked their Netflix and Facebook accounts. They subsequently discovered fraudulent credit card charges at Nordstrom, and a Target in Texas, as well as unsolicited verification codes from Instacart and Airbnb. The credit card companies have been notified of the fraudulent activity and the accounts were closed. The matter was referred to the Detective Bureau for review.
03-14-2023
3:31 PM – A Glen Rock resident reported a fraudulent bank account had been opened in their name in the State of Texas. The bank was notified, and the account was closed. They were then notified by the US Postal Service that a “temporary forward” had been placed on their mail delivery. This was corrected by the Postal Service and an investigation was opened by the US Postal Inspection Service. In addition, an unsuccessful attempt was made to open a Discover Card account in their name. The matter was referred to the Detective Bureau for review.
03-16-2023
2:46 PM – The cashier at the Krauszers Food Store on Prospect Street reported that three individuals entered the store, became abusive and asked for money. There was no threat of violence and when the cashier refused, the actors then shoplifted $ 374.39 worth of vape pens from the store. The cashier followed the actors and was able to provide officers with the license plate number of the vehicle they fled in. The store owner also responded and was able to provide video from the store’s video surveillance system.
Through investigation D/Sgt. James Calaski was able to identify and arrest one of the actors on the evening of March 18th, with the assistance of P.O. Andrew Magro. The actor, an 18-year-old Chestnut Ridge, NY man was charged with shoplifting and criminal conspiracy. He was processed at police headquarters and released on his own recognizance pending and appearance before Central Judicial Processing at the Superior Court in Hackensack, NJ.
The investigation into the identity of the two other actors is ongoing.
03-17-2023
Durning the early morning hours, a total of seven catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles parked in residential driveways on Delmar Avenue, Gramercy Place, Devonshire Place, South Highwood Avenue, Dean Street, Garret Place, and Harding Road. Each of the vehicles targeted were Hondas, model years 1999 to 2006, six Accords and one Odyssey.
The first report was received at 3:44 AM when a Delmar Avenue resident was awoken by the sound of a power tool, possibly a Sawzall, outside of their home. The resident subsequently confronted a male actor in their driveway who ran off and fled the area in an unknown dark vehicle. The resident looked under their vehicle and found that the catalytic converter had been cut from their 2003 Honda Accord and taken. They were unable to provide a description of the actor or the vehicle involved to responding officers. Officers from both Glen Rock and Ridgewood did not find anyone in the area. Subsequently, six more thefts were reported.
Catalytic converter theft is on the rise nationwide. They can be removed with a battery-operated saw in little more than a minute. Catalytic converters contain precious metals and can be sold for a few hundred dollars to scrap recyclers.
According to CARFAX the 10 vehicles most likely to be targeted nationwide are:
- 1985-2021 Ford F-Series
- 1989-2020 Honda Accord
- 2007-2017 Jeep Patriot
- 1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado
- 1990-2022 Ford Econoline
- 2007-2021 Jeep Compass
- 1993-2020 Nissan Altima
- 2008-2014 Dodge Avenger
- 2011-2017 Chrysler 200
- 2011-2019 Chevrolet Cruze
03-18-2023
12:48 PM – Patrols were dispatched to a road rage incident on Broad Street near the entrance to the Ridgewood Auto Wash, at 450 Broad Street in Glen Rock. Investigation found that a 48-year-old Ridgewood man and a 73-year-old Fair Lawn man became involved in an altercation over their place in line at the Car Wash. Car Wash employees intervened before the situation escalated further and contacted police. Neither individual showed any signs of injury and no independent witnesses were located. As the responding officers did not witness any unlawful conduct, both individuals were advised of their right to sign complaints with the Glen Rock Municipal Court.
03-18-2023
2:03 PM – Patrols, along with Glen Rock Fire Fighters, were dispatched to a small brush fire at the rear of Byrd School on Doremus Avenue. The Fire Chief and responding officers were able to confirm that the small fire had been quickly extinguished. There were no injuries or property damage as a result of the fire.
Based upon witness identification as well as video provided to the officers, four male juveniles ages 10 and 11 were identified as responsible for starting the fire. Each was turned over to a parent and the matter has been referred to the Juvenile Officer for further action. Due to New Jersey’s strict juvenile confidentiality laws, no further information will be released.
