FW Police Reports: Cops Investigating Vehicle Thefts

Several vehicles have either been broken into or stolen in Fanwood over the past week. Fanwood police are investigating the incidents and advising residents to be on the lookout for anything suspicious.

Sometime between 8:30 p.m., July 13, and 7:45 a.m., July 14, someone stole a 2009 Mercedes Benz that was parked on Paul Place. The vehicle was in a driveway at the time. No evidence was left behind, but the vehicle was found on George Street in Plainfield two days later.

Sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. that same night, someone entered an unlocked vehicle on the 100 block of Willoughby Road and removed $5 in change. This vehicle was also parked in the driveway of a home at the time of the crime.

The next day, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., someone entered a 1997 Ford pickup parked on the 100 block of South Avenue and removed a laptop and $150 air card. The thief entered the vehicle through a small vent window.

Fanwood Police Lt. Richard Trigo says the incidents may be related.

"We're asking anyone that sees anything that appears to be suspicious or out of the ordinary to contact the police department," Trigo said.

Fanwood police can be reached at 908-322-5000.

Below is the rest of the police reports from the past week.

Tuesday, July 7:

• Three Plainfield teens were arrested at 12:21 p.m. at the Fanwood Train Station for trying to steal bicycles. The 13-year-old, 14-year-old, and 15-year-old teens were all arrested for theft. The 15-year-old was also arrested for possession of burglary tools. Police processed the teens, then turned them over to the adults responsible for them.
• A 17-year-old Bound Brook teen was arrested at 10:30 p.m. on Terrill Road for possession of alcohol. The teen was stopped for a motor vehicle violation when the officer discovered an open container in the vehicle. The teen was processed and turned over to a responsible adult.

Wednesday, July 8:

• Damon Ross, 47, of Roselle, was arrested at 4:48 p.m. on South Avenue for outstanding Green Brook, Fanwood, Westfield and Cranford warrants. Ross was pulled over for a motor vehicle violation when the officer discovered the warrants. He was processed and turned over to Union County Jail.
• Sometime between 11:55 p.m., July 8, and 6 a.m., July 9, someone burglarized a home on Helen Street. The burglar entered the home by cutting the ground floor screen and lifting the window. The family was at home and sleeping at the time of the crime. The burglar stole an iPhone, Blackberry, and another cell phone. He or she also found the keys to a 2005 Subaru and stole it as well. Police are currently investigating the crime, but warn all area residents to lock their windows and doors.

Sunday, July 12:

• Elamin S. Raheem, 28, of Plainfield, was arrested at 3:28 p.m. on the 300 block of South Avenue for an outstanding Bloomfield warrant after a motor vehicle stop. He was processed, posted bail and was released.
• Rebecca Litke, 18, of Scotch Plains was arrested at 9:45 p.m. at the intersection of Elm Street and Stewart Place for providing false information to a police officer. A 16-year-old Scotch Plains teen was arrested at the same for obstruction after the teen threw a controlled substance into the air as police were approaching. The teens were arrested and turned over to their parents.

Monday, July 13:

• Sometime between 8:30 p.m., July 13, and 7:45 a.m., July 14, someone stole a 2009 Mercedes Benz that was parked on Paul Place. The vehicle had been parked in a driveway at the time. No evidence was left behind from the theft. The vehicle was found on George Street in Plainfield two days later.

Tuesday, July 14:

• Jennie M. Correa, 27, of Newark, was arrested at 9:34 a.m. at the intersection of Martine Avenue and Coriell Avenue for several outstanding Newark and Belleville warrants. Correa was pulled over for a motor vehicle stop when the officer discovered the warrants. She was processed, posted bail and was released.
• Sometime between midnight and 6 a.m. on July 14, someone entered an unlocked vehicle on the 100 block of Willoughby Road and removed $5 in change. The vehicle was parked in the driveway of a home at the time of the crime.

Wednesday, July 15:

• Sometime between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. July 15, someone entered a 1997 Ford pickup parked on the 100 block of South Avenue and removed a laptop and $150 air card. The thief entered the vehicle through a small vent window.