THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2016
05
KPD: Carted off in cuffs
Standard operating procedure for most shoplifters fleeing the scene of their crime appears to be to jump into a waiting auto and speed off to, they hope, parts unknown. Some do try to escape on foot, as happened last week at the Kearny Walmart, but this particular suspect took a shopping cart along with him. Needless to say, he did not get far. Shortly after 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 20, Officer Michael Alvarez responded to the report of the man heading west on Harrison Ave., pushing a Walmart cart full of stolen merchandise. Cart and suspect were spotted at Harrison and Sanford Aves., just a couple of blocks from the store. When Alvarez ordered him to stop, police said he abandoned the cart and began to run. A foot pursuit ensued and ended with the man reportedly seeking refuge underneath a parked car. (Note to the flight-prone: This is not an intelligent move.) By then, backup had arrived, and Brian Blozen, 41, of Bloomfield, was taken into custody on charges of shoplifting and resisting arrest. Police said the cart contained $728 worth of assorted stolen goods. The cart itself was also listed as a purloined item. (Note to otherwise lawabiding shoppers: If you take a cart off store property, you are technically a shoplifter.) ••• Other recent reports from the Kearny police blotter included the following: Sept. 16 Officer Jordenson Jean was on radar enforcement detail on Harrison Ave. at the N.J. Turnpike at 4 p.m. when the driver of a 2011 Jaguar stopped -- reportedly in the middle of the right lane, thereby blocking traffic -- to ask him for directions to Newark Airport. Police said Jean “quickly realized that the man was already flying” and during questioning he admitted to having had a few vodkas prior to driving up from Washington, D.C. Following field sobriety tests, and an Alcotest at headquarters, Paul Freed, 71, of Fort Lee, was charged with DUI, careless driving and delaying traffic.
the one who actually grabbed the package, was also charged with theft. And what was the prized merchandise? Denims. ••• Officer Derek Hemphill responded to an 8:30 p.m. alert from Kmart that a man had attempted to steal condoms from the store and, when confronted, fled on foot. Police
Brian Blozen
Sept. 17 At 5 a.m., Officers Dominic Dominguez and Dave Bush responded to a male-female dispute in the area of Town Hall Park. While they were attempting to gain information from the disputants, the male party -- Julian Quiroz, 24, of Elizabeth -- reportedly became uncooperative and tried to walk away. At that point, police said, Jonathan Fair, 39, of New Providence, confronted Quiroz and accused him of having assaulted the female. A fistfight ensued. The officers ordered the men to cease and desist, and when these commands were ignored, tried to separate the combatants. Ultimately, police said, OC spray had to be used to subdue the duo, both of whom were charged with simple assault and resisting arrest. ••• Shortly after 10 a.m., Officer John Donovan responded to a report from a concerned citizen who had just witnessed the theft of a package from a residence on the 200 block of Forest St. The culprits fled in a silver Toyota, which was soon spotted and stopped by Officer Alan Stickno at Forest and Quincy Ave. Police said the witness identified the occupants, who admitted to taking the package after seeing it being dropped off by a FedEx truck. “The truck had no sooner pulled away than the theft occurred,” a police spokesman noted. Both the wheelman, Dominic Yorke, 24, of Newark, and his companion, James Bradford, 24, of Newark, were charged with conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Bradford, who reportedly was
said that, while Kmart did not have an off-duty KPD officer working security, both nearby ShopRite and B.J.’s did, and those officers -- P.O. Esteban Gonzalez at B.J.’s, and Sgt. Michael Gonzalez at ShopRite -- heard Hemphill’s BOLO and the suspect was nabbed in the B.J.’s lot following a foot pursuit. Police said the man identi-
fied himself as Tjon White, but a search incident to arrest produced some paperwork from the Irvington PD indicating that might not be his real name. Hemphill contacted Irvington and a photo of the suspect proved he was actually Troy Johnson, 48, of Newark, police said. A see KPD page
BRADY, BRADY & REILLY
NOTICE Have you or someone you love been involved in a bus accident crash? If so, it is crucial that you contact an experienced bus accident lawyer immediately. Only a skilled lawyer can help you achieve compensation by identifying the best method of recovery in such cases. The attorneys at Brady, Brady & Reilly are currently handling bus accident claims against New Jersey Transit. Call and make an appointment for a free consultation! Statute of limitation for Claims against NJ TRANSIT: Notice of your intention to file a claim against NJ TRANSIT must be sent to the bus claims department within 90 days of the accident in which you were injured. Contact our law firm immediately after a bus accident so that we can send your notice and begin investigating your claim. Kathleen M. Reilly and Lawrence P. Brady are experienced personal injury lawyers who handle claims against New Jersey Transit. Upon representation, Brady, Brady & Reilly, LLC will timely notify New Jersey Transit Bus Operations of your claim and begin investigating your case. For a free legal consultation, call us at 201-997-0030
NO FEES UNLESS YOU RECOVER DAMAGES.
377 KEARNY AVE., KEARNY, NJ 07032
T: 201-997-0030 • F: 201-997-7150 • www.bbr-law.com HOUSE CALLS • HOME VISITS NOW AVAILABLE
11