Blotter: Brief Police Chase Leads to Arrest

A resident of Kevin Road called police Monday, Aug. 9, to report that she had observed an individual enter her garage and take a bicycle, Scotch Plains police said. The suspect road away on a bicycle, the resident reported.

A responding officer observed the suspect on Cushing Road, and after a brief chase, apprehended the suspect. Police arrested Milton Chrisp, 47, of Plainfield, on charges of burglary and theft, and transported him to police headquarters, where he was processed. Chrisp was unable to post his $56,000 bail, and he was transported to Union County Jail.

Here are the rest of the police reports:

Monday, Aug. 9:

A resident or Morse Avenue reported being a victim of theft. He stated that while he was away on vacation, an unknown suspect or suspects removed about $5,000 in jewelry from his house. There was no sign of forced entry, police said. The resident stated that various friends and caretakers were in his house while he was gone.

Tuesday, Aug. 10:

The owner of an East Second Street restaurant reported being a victim of burglary. She stated that sometime overnight, an unknown suspect or suspects entered her restaurant by kicking-in the rear door. Once inside, the suspect or suspects took an undetermined amount of cash.

A resident of Raritan Road reported being a victim of burglary. She stated that sometime overnight, an unknown suspect or suspects entered her vehicle, which was unlocked and parked at the front of her residence's driveway. Once inside, the suspect or suspects removed an undetermined amount of cash.

Wednesday, Aug. 11:

A resident of Tussell Lane reported being a victim of criminal mischief. She stated that sometime overnight, an unknown suspect or suspects damaged her patio furniture. The damage was valued at about $80.

Thursday, Aug. 12:

A worker at a Scotch Plains grammar school reported an incident of criminal mischief. Sometime overnight, the worker said, an unknown suspect or suspects removed shingles from the roof of a shed.

A resident of East Second Street reported being a victim of criminal mischief. He stated that sometime in the last week, an unknown suspect or suspects spray painted the front steps of his house.

Friday, Aug. 13:

Police arrested Travis Morgan, 22, of East Second Street in Scotch Plains, for driving while intoxicated. Officers stopped Morgan on East Second Street for a motor vehicle violation and smelled the odor of alcohol. After administering several field sobriety tests, the officers placed Morgan under arrest. He was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and released.

A resident of Mountain View Avenue reported being a victim of fraud. He stated that an unknown suspect or suspects opened several accounts in his name and charged several thousand dollars to the accounts.

Police arrested Leonard Arce, 39, of Rahway, for a $335 outstanding warrant issued by the Scotch Plains court. Officers stopped Arce on Park Avenue for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. He was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and released.

Saturday, Aug. 14:

Police arrested Tamika Strickland, 39, of Montclair, for a $190 outstanding warrant issued by the Westfield court. Officers stopped Strickland on South Avenue for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. She was transported to police headquarters, where she was processed and released.

Sunday, Aug. 15:

Police arrested Christopher Braxton, 49, of Aulander, N.C., for a $220 outstanding warrant issued by the Asbury Park court. Officers stopped Braxton on Route 22 for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. He was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and released.

Police arrested Michael Abrantes, 20, of Kearny, for driving while intoxicated. Officers stopped Abrantes on North Avenue for a motor vehicle violation and smelled the odor of alcohol. After administering several field sobriety tests, they placed Abrantes under arrest and transported him to police headquarters, where he was processed and released. Abrantes received an additional summons for underage drinking.