Blotter: Fanwood Police Make Weapons-Charge Arrest

Fanwood police made a weapons-charge arrest last Saturday afternoon. They charged Fernando Johnson, 35, of South Plainfield with unlawful possession of a weapon after Johnson told officers he had stashed a gun under the front seat of his vehicle, Fanwood Detective Eugene Chin said in a phone interview.

At 3:27 p.m., officers stopped Johnson at Terrill Road and East Second Street for a motor vehicle violation, Chin said. Upon checking Fernando's credentials, they discovered that his license and registration were suspended.

Officers called for a tow truck to impound Fernando's vehicle. While waiting, "they asked if there was anything else in the car they should know about," Chin said. Johnson informed officers of the handgun he had stored under his driver's seat. Because the gun was not properly stored in a firearms case, Chin said, the officers charged Johnson with unlawful possession. They transported him to police headquarters, where he was processed and released after posting bail.

Here are the rest of the police reports:

Between Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18:

A resident of the 100-block of Pleasant Avenue reported that an unknown suspect or suspects broke into his vehicle and removed a GPS unit. The suspect or suspects gained entry by smashing the passenger side window of the vehicle. The GPS unit was valued at about $200.

A couple houses away, a second resident reported that an unknown suspect or suspects entered his vehicle, which was unlocked. The suspect or suspects rifled through the vehicle, police said, but nothing was reported missing. Police said they believe the two incidents are related, and that they are investigating.

Tuesday, July 20:

Police arrested Michal Cichon, 20, of Scotch Plains, early Tuesday morning. At 1:01 a.m., officers on a routine patrol observed a vehicle parked on the side of Robin Road with its headlights off and an occupant inside, Chin said. The officers approached the vehicle, and while talking with the occupant – Cichon – they smelled the odor of marijuana. The officers instructed Cichon to exit the vehicle, and as he did so, they found alcohol in the car. Cichon was arrested and transported to police headquarters.

Between Thursday, July 22 and Friday, July 23:

A construction company working at Midway Avenue and Russell Road reported that an unknown suspect or suspects stole about five traffic cones from the construction site. Police are investigating.

A resident of the 40-block of Shady Lane reported being a victim of theft. She stated that between noon on Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday, an unknown suspect or suspects stole her bicycle. She described the bike as a purple, 26-inch ladies' Next "LaJolla," valued at $100. 

Friday, July 23:

The owner of a South Avenue reported being a victim of theft. He stated that an unknown suspect or suspects removed copper wire from his property. The wire was valued at about $1,300. Police are investigating.

Police arrested Robert Nelson, 47, of Branchburg for an outstanding $877 warrant issued by the Newark court. At 8:50 p.m., police received a report that somebody might be sleeping on the south side of the Fanwood train station. When officers arrived, they found Nelson sleeping on a bench. Upon checking his credentials, they discovered the warrant. Nelson was arrested, processed and released on his own recognizance pending another court date.

Saturday, July 24:

Police arrested Juan Francisco, 30, of Atlanta, Ga., for an outstanding $217 warrant issued by the Rahway court. At 4:03 p.m., officers stopped Francisco in the 100-block of South Avenue for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. They transported Francisco to police headquarters, where he was processed and released.

Between Friday, July 23 and Monday, July 26:

A business owner on South Avenue reported that an unknown suspect or suspects stole metal I-beams from the back of his business. The beams were valued at $4,000. Police are investigating.

Monday, July 26:

Police arrested Shirone Diggs, 23, of Rahway, for an outstanding $250 warrant issued by the Newark court. At 10:09 a.m., officers stopped Diggs in the 50-block of South Avenue for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. They transported him to police headquarters, where he was processed and released.

Tuesday, July 27:

Police arrested Charles Alford, 57, of Newark, for an outstanding $250 warrant issued by the Newark court. At 11:45 a.m., police received a report of a suspicious vehicle on Kempshall Terrace. Officers responded to the scene, where they found Alford apparently sleeping in his car. Alford said he was just resting, but when police checked his credentials, they discovered the Newark warrant.  He was arrested and transported to police headquarters, where he was released on his own recognizance pending a court date.

Wednesday, July 28:

Police arrested Larry Cooper, 52, of Franklin Park for an outstanding $600 warrant issued by the South Plainfield court. At 9:15 a.m., the department received a report that a possible homeless man was sleeping in LaGrande Park. Officers responded to the park, checked Cooper's credentials and discovered the warrant. They transported him to police headquarters, where he was processed and released on his own recognizance pending a new court date.

Friday, July 30:

Police arrested Rosalia Baviera, 25, for an outstanding $81 warrant issued by the Seaside Park court. At 8:15 a.m., officers stopped Baviera at South Avenue and Hetfield Road for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. They transported her to police headquarters, where she was processed and released.

Saturday, July 31:

Police arrested Salvatore DiGiovanni, 33, of Clark, for an outstanding no-bail warrant issued by the Rahway court. At 11:29 a.m., officers stopped DiGiovanni at Terrill Road and East Second Street for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. They transported him to police headquarters, where he was picked-up by Rahway police.

Police arrested Alexander Santana, 19, of Linden, for an outstanding $350 warrant issued by the Elizabeth Court. At 5:10 p.m., police received a report of a suspicious person going to door-to-door in the 90-block of Glenwood Road. Residents reported that he asked if they'd like to have their driveways resealed. Officers responding to the scene stopped Santana, checked his credentials and discovered the warrant. They transported him to police headquarters, where he was processed and released.

Sunday, Aug. 1:

Police arrested Dennis Williams, 62, of Fanwood, for an outstanding $1,000 warrant issued by the Fanwood court. At 4:07 p.m., an officer on patrol in the 100-block of South Avenue recognized Williams, who was walking along the avenue. The officer confirmed Williams' identification and wanted status, then arrested and transported him to police headquarters. Williams was unable to post bail, and he was taken to Union County Jail.

Police arrested Clinton Stevenson Jr., 28, of Edison, for an outstanding $250 warrant issued by the Piscataway court. At 7:48 p.m., officers stopped Stevenson on Terrill Road for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. They transported him to police headquarters, where he was processed and released.

Monday, Aug. 2:

Police arrested Jamar Green, 26, of Plainfield, for an outstanding $500 warrant issued by the Plainfield court. At 1:17 p.m., officers stopped Green in the 60-block of South Avenue for a motor vehicle violation and discovered the warrant. They transported him to police headquarters, where he was picked-up by the Plainfield Police Department.