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The Cedar Grove Police Department will be participating in the bi-annual Operation Take Back Program sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency. This program enables the public to get rid of unused, unwanted and expired medications properly.

Prescription drug abuse is rapidly becoming one of our nation’s greatest emerging drug problems and it is widely recognized that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from home medicine cabinets. In addition to this growing drug problem, unused and expired prescription medications also represent a severe environmental hazard. Most individuals are not aware of methods to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away; both potential safety and health hazards.

This service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Date: Saturday, October 23, 2021

Hours:  10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location:  Cedar Grove Police Department  

525 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove.

For more information about the Operation Take Back program visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov

On October 4^th Patrolman Joseph Ligas was flagged down by the manager of the PNC Bank located at 85 Pompton Avenue to report a fraud in progress. The manager pointed out an individual who was attempting to withdraw over $65,000. Ptl. Ligas detained the suspect and began an investigation. The investigation revealed that the suspect had previously opened an account and deposited a U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $146,971.62. This check had been flagged by the bank as possibly fraudulent. The suspect was now attempting to withdraw a portion of the funds using a United States Passport Card for identification. It was determined that the suspect, later identified as Thomas DeRosa, a 52-year-old male from New York, NY, was using a fraudulent passport and had assumed a fake identity. He was also wanted in Texas and New York for committing similar offenses. He was charged with multiple counts of fraud, attempted theft, forgery, and possession of false government documents. He was transported to the Essex County Jail on local charges and will face extradition to New York and Texas.

On September 28^th at approximately 5pm, Ptl. Raymond Cassella received a SPEN radio broadcast from Montclair Police reporting that they had broken off a pursuit of a Dodge Ram pickup truck that was reported stolen from Belleville. The vehicle was last seen entering Cedar Grove in the area of East Bradford Avenue. Ptl. Cassella located the vehicle on the border of Verona. He attempted to stop the vehicle, at which point the operator sped away eluding him. Ptl. Cassella briefly pursued the vehicle, however the pursuit was then terminated due to public safety. A short time later, West Caldwell Police reported that they had located the vehicle abandoned on the side of the road as well as a female nearby matching Ptl. Cassella’s description of the operator. Ptl. Cassella responded to West Caldwell and placed the driver under arrest. She was later identified as Vanessa Shaarawy, a 36-year-old female from Kearny. At the time of her arrest, she was in possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. She also had an outstanding warrant from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Additionally, Shaarawy was in possession of jewelry that was determined to be proceeds from a vehicle burglary in Dunnellen, NJ. She was charged with numerous offenses including receiving stolen property, eluding and reckless driving. The stolen vehicle and jewelry were both returned to their respective owners. Shaarawy was transported to the Essex County Jail.

On June 1^st 2021 at 02:31 am a Timber Rock Court resident reported two suspicious persons in his driveway near his vehicle. The caller feels that the subjects noticed him watching and fled. They were last seen entering a black Mercedes SUV. Officers flooded the area searching for the suspect vehicle. They were located on foot running from an Eileen Drive driveway, then fled into the Mercedes. Officers pursued the Mercedes down Vincent Road onto Route 23 South. Once on Route 23 the suspect vehicle accelerated to speeds well over 100 mile per hour. Due to the risk and the distance between the suspect vehicle and the patrol units becoming too great, the pursuit was terminated. 

Subsequent, checks at the Eileen Drive residence revealed that the unlocked parked vehicle had been searched through looking for keys or a key fob. Nothing was reported missing at this time. The alert resident and the quick reporting clearly thwarted the ongoing criminal activities of the suspects in Cedar Grove. The burglaries and thefts are an ongoing regional issue and are not exclusive to the Township. These activities can be significantly reduced by eliminating the opportunity. Once again “Please lock and remove the keys and valuables from your vehicles”. Extra patrols have been assigned to the Park Ridge Estate Development. If you should observe suspicious activity or a crime, contact police immediately. It is not safe to investigate, follow or go looking for the actors on your own. This matter is an open investigation.

  Chief J. Cirasa   

The incident began Saturday, February 20^th at 02:46 am, when an alert patrol officer observed a male subject sitting on a guardrail along Ridge Road. Officer Michael Passafiume initiated contact with the subject and while doing so he notice a cardboard box containing several packs of Lava E-Cigarettes. The box was partially buried in the snow on the other side of the guardrail next to the subjects backpack. The 18 year old subject, later identified as Julian Lopez of Cedar Grove, claimed the E-Cigarettes were not his and couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation for his actions. He was not entered as missing nor were there were any outstanding warrants. Additionally Lopez refused any assistance, so contact was terminated. The E-Cigarettes were secured as recovered property.

On Saturday, February 20^th at 7:02 am, officers responded to 597 Pompton Avenue, the Krauzers Store, on a report of a burglary and theft that had occurred overnight. The proprietor reported missing lottery cash and E-Cigarettes.

On Saturday, February 20^th at 11:25 am, officers responded to another 597 Pompton Avenue Store, Sonny’s Yogurt, on a report of an attempted burglary that had also occurred overnight. Unknown actor(s) had entered through an AC unit/vent on the roof in an attempt to gain entry into the business.

Cedar Grove Detectives responded and processed the both scenes. Evidence collected including shoe prints and store security video footage revealed sufficient probable cause that Lopez had committed the burglaries. An arrest warrant was authorized by the Essex County Prosecutors Office and a Cedar Grove Municipal Court Judge. He was charged with Burglary, Theft, and Criminal Mischief.

On Saturday, February 20^th 2021 at 5:30 pm Detectives and Officers then responded to the subject’s residence where he was arrested without incident. The accused was processed and subsequently transported to the Essex County Jail to await a bail hearing.

“The officers’ actions were key. The subsequent thorough investigation in conjunction with the diligence of the Officer Passafiume clearly enable this agency to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion”.

                                                                Chief Joseph Cirasa

All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The Cedar Grove Police Department requests that the public report all suspicious activity observed, as it occurs. The police department non-emergency telephone number is 973-239-4100 and in cases of emergency 9-1-1.  

The Cedar Grove Police Department will be participating in the bi-annual Operation Take Back Program sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency. This program enables the public to get rid of unused, unwanted and expired medications properly.

Prescription drug abuse is rapidly becoming one of our nation’s greatest emerging drug problems and it is widely recognized that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from home medicine cabinets. In addition to this growing drug problem, unused and expired prescription medications also represent a severe environmental hazard. Most individuals are not aware of methods to properly dispose of their unused medicine, often flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away; both potential safety and health hazards.

This service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020

Hours:  10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Location:  Cedar Grove Police Department – 525 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove

For more information about the Operation Take Back program visit www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov