Glen Rock Blotter: Graffiti, A Roofing Scam, Wine Thief Arrested

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Submitted by Glen Rock Police Department a collection of notable calls for service from the week of May 24 to May 30. In that time, members of the GRPD handled 331 calls for service.

05-24-2021

12:46 p.m. – While on patrol in the area of the Boulevard, Lt. Frank Riggio observed fresh graffiti painted on the concrete pillars underneath the Route 208 overpass. No one was found in the area and the New Jersey Department of Transportation was notified for removal. The Detective Bureau is currently reviewing various issues regarding graffiti that have occurred in the community recently.

2:13 p.m. – A Glen Rock resident reported receiving a notice from the Bank of America that someone had attempted to open an account in their name. The actor had done so utilizing the victim's name, address, date of birth and Social Security number. The account has since been closed and the matter is under investigation.

05-25-2021

An elderly Glen Rock couple fell victim to a roofing scam. They had reached out to a legitimate roofing company earlier in the week, but unfortunately and coincidentally, a roofing scam company knocked on their door. When the victims asked if they were from the company they
contacted, the purported workmen said 'yes'.

They proceeded to cover the entire roof with some sort of tar or rubberized asphalt. The couple had been told the price was "950" per square yard, leading the victims to believe that the price was $9.50 per square yard, but the purported workmen later said it was $950. When the job was finished, the suspects demanded two checks, $9,000 for labor and $9,000 for materials. They intimidated the elderly couple into providing checks and left.

The police were contacted shortly after and began to investigate. The family was able to cancel the checks first thing in the morning to prevent them from being cashed. However, extensive damage was done to the couple's home. The suspects are described as one Hispanic male and one Caribbean male. They were seen driving a white Chevy Silverado crew cab with a black tonneau cover. Anyone who may be able to identify this vehicle, or who may have been approached by these actors is asked to contact the lead investigator D/Sgt. Jim Calaski (201) 670-3948 or jcalaski@glenrockpolice.com.

05-26-2021

8:10 a.m.– The owner of a Ridgewood based landscaping service reported that someone had slashed the tire on his vehicle and broke into his landscaping trailer by cutting the lock. Both the vehicle and the trailer were parked at a commercial lot on the 400 block of Grove Street between 2:30 p.m. on May 25 and the time of the report. Stolen from the trailer were two weed trimmers and two leaf blowers valued at a total of $2,100. The Detective Bureau is currently investigating.

10:21 a.m. – The owner of a business located at 175 Rock Road reported observing graffiti painted on a fence across the railroad tracks from his business. It was determined that the fence was owned by the Glen Courts Senior Citizen Building. The building management was notified. It appeared that this occurred sometime after 8:00 p.m. on May 25 and the time of the report. The Detective Bureau is currently reviewing various issues regarding graffiti which have occurred in the community recently.

1:04 p.m. – Following a two-week investigation, D/Sgt James Calaski arrested a 55-year-old Ridgewood man on shoplifting charges stemming from incidents that occurred at Bottle King Liquors on Prospect Street. The investigation was begun on May 12 when the management of Bottle King reported that $2,000 worth of wine had been stolen from the store on two separate dates in March and April. Through the review of receipts and video surveillance footage, detectives were able to identify the actor. On each occasion, the actor had taken expensive bottles of wine and placed them in cases marked at a lower price. The man would then check out paying the lower price, in each case defrauding Bottle King of $1,000 for two separate purchases.
Since the time of the arrest, full restitution has been made to Bottle King.

05-27-2021

The Glen Rock Police Department received two reports concerning fraudulent unemployment claims. The first was received from a Hawthorne woman who reported that the claim was filed in her maiden name using her parents' Glen Rock address. The second report was received from a Glen Rock man who received a letter at his home concerning a claim that was filed in his name on May 9. Neither victim had filed for unemployment benefits. The detective bureau continues to receive ongoing complaints of this nature and is working with the NJ Division of Criminal Justice, which is the lead investigating agency on fraudulent unemployment claims being filed throughout the state.

9:14 p.m.– Patrols were dispatched to a 9-1-1 report of a dispute in progress at a Little League game being played at Faber Field on Doremus Avenue. The complainant reported to officers that a profanity filled dispute had occurred between unknown parents from both the Glen Rock and Paramus teams following what was described as a rival playoff game. Officers were able to locate the complainant, however, it appeared that the primary instigators had left prior to the officers arriving. Officers remained in the area until the crowd dissipated.

05-29-2021

11:38 a.m. – A Glen Rock man reported that a fraudulent unemployment claim was filed in his name. He learned of this when he received a letter from the New Jersey Department of Labor. A few days later, he received a checkbook in the mail from TD Bank for a checking account that had been opened in his name. The complainant had not opened the account and notified the bank immediately. The detective bureau is currently reviewing both matters.

5:05 PM – Special Officer James Harte was dispatched to the area of Romary Court to investigate the report of several loud bangs of unknown origin that had occurred periodically. Two residents reported that vibrations had shaken their homes. While investigating, the officer heard several loud explosions, however, they appeared to be coming from a distance away.

Additional officers responded along with Glen Rock Fire Fighters to conduct a more comprehensive check of the area. Surrounding jurisdictions were also notified as the point of origin could not be determined. Crews from both PSE&G gas and electric were dispatched to the scene, examined their infrastructure throughout the area and found no immediate defects.

Additional reports were received just after midnight on May 30 in the area of Oaklynn Place, and just prior to 12 noon on Waldron Avenue. The area was checked by Glen Rock officers and by Fair Lawn Police in the area of their industrial complexes immediately adjacent to the Glen Rock border, with negative results. Other surrounding jurisdictions were notified, but none have received any similar reports.

At 2:54 p.m. on May 30, patrols and Fire Fighters returned to the Romary Court area when a resident flagged down the fire chief, reporting that her pool heater door had blown off. PSE&G again returned to the area. Technicians determined that the gas meters at two homes were in need of replacement as they were not large enough to accommodate the needs of the homes. However, it remained undetermined if this was the cause.

During this course, the Glen Rock Police Department and Office of Emergency Management coordinated with county authorities to investigate other possible causes of the reported conditions.

05-30-2021

2:04 p.m. – A 19-year-old Glen Rock man filed a police report alleging that he was assaulted on the evening of May 27 in a parking lot in the 200 block of Maple Avenue. He provided a video, taken by a third party, which he claimed recorded the assault in question. The victim reported that he was injured and that his parents transported him to Valley Hospital in Ridgewood for treatment. It is not clear why a police report was not filed at the time of the incident. The identity of the actor has not yet been confirmed by the police. The matter has been referred to the Detective Bureau for investigation.