The Alternative Press

03-13-2013- Patrolman Joseph DiParisi charged Cathryn A. Kaifa, age 56, of Andover with operating a vehicle while her license was suspended after a random license plate inquiry revealed the violation.  Ms. Kaifa was given two warnings for equipment violations and was given a mandatory court appearance with the municipal court.

03-13-2013- Patrolman Joseph DiParisi responded to Providence Street, near the high school on a report of a minor hit and run motor vehicle crash.  Through Patrolman DiParisi’s investigation it was determined that a 15-year old borough resident was the driver of the vehicle that caused the fender-bender.  The juvenile took his parents vehicle without permission.  The 15 year-old was charged with being an unlicensed driver, operating a vehicle while using a cellphone without a hands-free device, and for careless driving.  He was given a mandatory municipal court appearance.

03-15-2013- A resident of Sulfrain Road reported that eggs were thrown at his daughter’s vehicle between 10:00pm on the 14th and 7:20am on the 15th.  The criminal mischief is currently under investigation by the New Providence Detective Bureau.

03-16-2013- A resident of Lavina Court reported that a prospective customer attempted to defraud her of nearly $1,200.00.  A customer placed a Mary Kay order for approximately $500.00 and sent a check to the resident for approximately $1,700.00.  The customer then requested that the resident send the balance back to her via Western Union.  The customer indicated they were from Woolwich Township of Gloucester County NJ but the check was sent from El-Paso, Texas. 

This is a common “Overpayment Scam” and residents are reminded to always confirm the buyer’s name, address, and telephone numbers before doing business with people they do not know.  Residents are advised to never accept checks or money orders for more than the selling price and never deposit a check where the name doesn’t match the person they’re dealing with.  Sending money via wire transfer is impossible to trace and the money taken out from a bad check is usually the responsibility of the victim that deposited the fraudulent check.  Residents are encouraged to contact the police department if they believe they have become a victim of a scam or identity theft.

03-18-2013- A resident of Sherwood Drive reported that a fraudulent charge was made to his bank account from a store in New York City.  It is unknown at this time how the victim’s information was compromised and the identity theft is currently under investigation by the Detective Bureau.

03-18-2013- Sergeant Frank Gaffney charged Armando Calderon Alvarado, age 33, of Plainfield with operating a vehicle while his license was suspended.  Mr. Alvarado’s vehicle was stopped for an overdue inspection sticker and maintenance of lamps.  The owner of the vehicle was issued a summons for the brake light violation.  Mr. Alvarado was given a mandatory court date with the municipal court.

03-19-2013- Patrolman Joseph Parlapiano arrested James W. McFarland, age 48, of Basking Ridge on two outstanding warrants out of West Orange after a resident called in a suspicious vehicle on Bradford Street.  Mr. McFarland advised patrols that he pulled over to send a text message and didn’t realize that he was parked for an extended period of time.  Mr. McFarland posted the bail and was released.

03-20-2013- Patrolman Andrew Diamond arrested Anthony Murray, age 23, of Brentwood, NY on outstanding warrants out of Scotch Plains and Sparta.  Mr. Murray was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for having a tinted front window.  Patrolman Diamond also charged Charles Del Greco, age 31, of Jamaica, NY with operating a vehicle while his license was suspended.  Mr. Murray was released after posting the bail and Mr. Del Greco was given a mandatory municipal court date. 

03-20-2013- Patrolman Andrew Diamond charged Jared N. Atandi, age 29, of South River with operating a vehicle with a suspended license and for failing to surrender a suspended license after a random license plate inquiry revealed the suspension.  Mr. Atandi was given a mandatory municipal court date.