Fanwood Police Reports: March 16 to 28

Fanwood police arrested a Scotch Plains man last week for reckless driving and eluding officers.

Nicholas Kochmann, 57, of Scotch Plains, was arrested on Wednesday, March 17, after failing to stop for a motor vehicle violation.

An officer attempted to stop Kochmann for the violation at 10:21 a.m. at the intersection of South and Hetfield avenues, but he refused to stop until he got to his home in the 2000 block of Meadowview Road in Scotch Plains. Once the officer got behind him, Kochmann ran out of his car and into his home. Additional officers came for backup and arrested him. He was unable to post his $25,000 bail at that time and was transported to Union County Jail.

Below are the rest of the recent police reports in the borough.

Tuesday, March 16:

• Jesse Mariani, 30, of Elizabeth, was arrested for an active Union warrant following a field investigation in front of police headquarters at 6:03 p.m. He was processed, posted bail and released.

Thursday, March 18:

• Darrell McKoy, 27, of Linden, was arrested for a Linden warrant after a motor vehicle stop at 11:35 a.m. in the 200 block of Terrill Road. Officers discovered he also had a revoked driver's license. McKoy posted bail and was released.

Friday, March 19:

• Jose Rodas-Maldonado, 41, of Plainfield, was arrested for an active deportation warrant following a motor vehicle stop at 3:49 p.m. at the intersection of South Avenue and Laurel Place. Police stopped Rodas-Maldonado for a motor vehicle violation when they discovered he was wanted by immigrations officials. He was picked up by Immigration Customs Enforcement.

Saturday, March 20:

• A store on the 500 block of North Avenue reported a shoplifting incident. Police arrested Leigh Mitchell, 42, of of Plainfield, for stealing 11 packs of gum and mints. She was processed and issued a summons pending a court date.

Sunday, March 21:

• Andrew Francis, 21, of Staten Island, was arrested for speeding and driving under the influence. Officers stopped Francis at 3:43 a.m. at the intersection of South Avenue and Third Street and when talking to him discovered the odor of alcohol. He then performed some field tests and was brought to police headquarters, where he refused to submit to a breath test.

Tuesday, March 23:

• Randolph Reina, 49, of Plainfield, was arrested for a Scotch Plains warrant after a motor vehicle stop at 12:15 p.m. He posted bail and was released.
• Walter McCann III, 27, of Elizabeth, was arrested for driving under the influence and reckless driving. Officers responded to a 1-car accident at 12:49 p.m. at the intersection of Midway and Martine avenues and upon speaking to the driver, discovered he was under the influence of a narcotic. He was transported to police headquarters , where he was processed and released to a responsible party pending a court date.

Wednesday, March 24:

• Kim Harriatt, 44, of Magnolia, was arrested for providing false information to an officer. Police stopped her at 9:21 a.m. at the intersection of North and Hetfield avenues when she gave false information. She was issued a summons and released. During that same stop, police also arrested Mustafa McDaniels, 26, of Plainfield, for also providing false information and for Hillside and Plainfield warrants. He was transported to Union County Jail pending a court date.

Thursday, March 25:

• A local businessman came into headquarters to report a theft of services. The man told police that an individual with an impounded vehicle came into the business to pick up the car and paid by check, but that the checking account was canceled. The matter is being investigated.

Friday, March 26:

• An officer on routine patrol at 8:11 a.m. found graffiti on a telephone pole at the intersection of Midway Avenue and Tillotson Road. PSE&G was notified to come clean it up. About a block down the road at Midway Avenue and Forest Road, police discovered the same markings on another pole. The matter is being investigated.

Saturday, March 27:

• A resident of the 20 block of Poplar Place reported that somebody entered their unlocked vehicle and rifled through the console and glove compartment. All that was found missing was a $5 bill. No damage was done to the vehicle. Police are investigating.

Sunday, March 28:

• Ruben Anderson, 31, of Plainfield, was arrested for an outstanding Linden warrant following a motor vehicle sotp at 12:09 p.m. on the 40 block of South Avenue. He posted bail and was released.
• Jillian Wilchez, 28, of Jersey City, was arrested for a Westfield warrant after a motor vehicle stop at 2:33 p.m. at the intersection of Westfield and Morse avenues. She was processed, then Westfield police came to pick her up.