Crime Alerts Maplewood Police Department

ALERT 08-03: ROBBERY ALERT (Composite Below)

June 18, 2008- Robbery: On Weds. June 18, at approximately 12: 40 in the afternoon, two black male teenagers walked into the Panda Kitchen on Irvington Ave and committed a robbery of the store. Each of the males produced a handgun and demanded money from the register. As the employee opened the register, one suspect with the weapon in hand went behind the counter and grabbed an undetermined amount of money from the register. Both actors then fled the store on foot. Both suspects are described as black males, 15 to 17 years of age, wearing black do-rags on their heads. One also had a black baseball cap. Both suspects were wearing black shirts and faded blue jeans. One of the suspects had the number “10” written on the left front of his shirt and the other had the words “I’m hot” written on the front of his shirt. The suspects were last seen running east bound towards Irvington. No injuries were reported in the incident. A witness to the incident was able to work with a State Police sketch artist and the attached composite was drawn of one of the suspects

ALERT 08-02: GPS THEFTS FROM VEHICLES

Residents and business owners should be alert to a series of recent break-ins to motor vehicles occurring in the Essex/ Union County area. Most, but not all of the incidents have occurred on or near major corridors, including Springfield Ave., Irvington Ave. and Valley St. In additon, most offenses have occurred during the daylight hours.

To deter such offenses, the Maplewood Police Department is asking that vehicle owners remove the GPS units and their suction cups even during short stays. Residents and business owners are also encouraged to notify the police if they notice any suspicious activity, which may include persons peering into vehicles, or cars pulled up next to a parked vehicle. Please do not confront any would-be thieves! Please call 9-1-1 and provide a description and direction of flight of the vehicle and/or persons.

ALERT 08-01: VEHICLE BREAK-INS

Residents in the northeast section of the Township should be aware of a series of break-ins to high end vehicles occurring this week. Experience indicates that the actors are searching the vehicles (Nissan, Infinity, BMW etc.) for emergency keys stored in the glove box or other location in order to facilitate the theft of the vehicle. If they are unable to locate the key, thieves are doing the next best thing-stealing whatever isn't bolted down. It is strongly advised that all emergency keys are removed from vehicles, and all valuables are kept out of sight. Residents are also strongly encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately if any suspicious activity around vehicles is observed.

ALERT 07-03: HIGH END VEHICLE THEFTS ON THE RISE

Thefts of high-end vehicles are once again plaguing the state and more specifically, the Essex/ Union county area. Most of these vehicle thefts can be easily prevented at no cost to the owner, and in one simple step. The list of high-end vehicles most frequently being targeted by thieves include Acura TL and SUV; Infinity G-35 and FX; most Lexus products; and BMW, Cadillac and Lincoln models, especially the SUV's. In recent weeks there has been a local spike in the number of thefts and attempted thefts to Nissan products, particularly the Maxima, Pathfinder and Murano models. Finally, late model Toyotas have become a recent target for theft. High-end vehicle owners are strongly encouraged to contact Sgt. Dean L. Naddeo of the Crime Prevention Unit at 973- 762-3400 Ext. 443 for specific crime prevention strategies.

ALERT 07-02: DIVERSION STYLE THEFTS (Arrest Made!)

May 2007. THE MAPLEWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS REQUESTING THE ASSISTANCE OF LOCAL BUSINESSES. WE HAVE HAD A RECENT RASH OF DIVERSION STYLE THEFTS. THE SUSPECT IN THIS INCIDENT IS DESCRIBED AS BEING A BLACK MALE IN HIS LATE 40’S TO EARLY 50’S, 5’10 TALL AND SPORTING SCRUFFY FACIAL HAIR. IN THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT A BUSINESS ON RIDGEWOOD RD. NEAR THE SOUTH ORANGE BORDER THE SUSPECT WAS WEARING A BROWN JACKET AND SQUARE FRAMED GLASSES. IN THIS INCIDENT THE SUBJECT LEFT THE SCENE IN A BLUE NISSAN PATHFINDER WITH AN UNKNOWN NEW JERSEY LICENSE PLATE. IN MOST OF THE INCIDENTS THE SUBJECT ENTERS A BUSINESS MAKES SMALL TALK TO DISTRACT THE EMPLOYEE OR WAITS UNTIL THE EMPLOYEE IS DISTRACTED AND THEN REMOVES MONEY FROM UNSECURED WALLETS, POCKETBOOKS AND/OR CASH BOXES. IF ANYONE MATCHING THIS DESCRIPTION IS OBSERVED OR A SUBJECT USING THE SAME MODUS OPERANDI ENTERS YOUR BUSINESS YOU ARE URGED TO CONTACT THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY (DIAL 911). PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CONFRONT THE SUBJECT OR DETAIN HIM.

ALERT 07-01: STREET CRIME ACTIVITY

January 2007. Residents and merchants should be aware that street crime activity in the area has increased in the last month. Be especially alert when using ATM machines- if you suspect someone is watching you, delay your transaction. Be alert after you make the transaction as well. If you are approached, give up the goods without a struggle. Property can always be replaced. Try to get an accurate description of the suspect(s) and any vehicles as well as the direction of flight, and call 9-1-1 as soon as possible.

ALERT 06-03: AUTO THEFT, HEADLIGHT THEFTS RETURN

September 2006. Residents and merchants should be aware that after a relatively slow period, thefts of high-end vehicles and thefts of xenon/ HID headlights have picked up again. Please refer to the archived Alerts 05-01 and 05-02 that appear below for further details.

Most importantly, vehicle owners are urged contact Sgt. Dean L. Naddeo of the Crime Prevention Unit at 973- 762-3400 Ext. 443 for specific crime prevention strategies.

ALERT 06-02: PEDESTRIAN STREET CRIME ACTIVITY

August 2006. In response to several incidents of street crimes occurring on the eastern edge of the Township, extra teams of officers have been assigned to patrol the areas in which pedestrians have been targeted in recent weeks.

Officers will be providing extra patrol at various times, to include the early morning hours. Citizens walking in these areas may be approached by officers, who will offer an informational flyer to help educate them in crime prevention awareness and techniques.

In most circumstances, citizens will not be required to speak with officers, although it is highly recommended, as the information provided is intended to better protect individuals.

For more information, contact Lt. Robert M. Dombrowski at Ext. 403.

ALERT 06-01: BEWARE OF IDENTITY THEFT AND ORGANIZED SCAMS

The Maplewood Police Department is currently investigating several cases of fraud related to various incidents of identity theft and organized scams:

On November 30, 2005, a Maplewood resident received a letter stating that she owed $12.84 to a Collection Agency based in Midland, Texas. The letter requested the victim’s credit card account number, name of holder, and expiration date. According to US Postal Inspectors, this may be a case of mail fraud that frequently targets the elderly and the handicapped. The “collection letters” are sent out to victims, requiring them to pay a small amount of money utilizing a credit card. Most people apparently pay the small fee without question. In return, the credit card information obtained is used to make big purchases.

In January of this year, a Maplewood family was defrauded when they sent $2400 to England after receiving counterfeit money orders from a prospective renter of a room in a transaction that was arranged via the Internet.

Luckily, several other fraud attempts were thwarted by the efforts of loss prevention personnel employed by major companies:

On January 20^th, a citizen reported that an unknown individual had unsuccessfully attempted to open a line of credit through Dell Computers using his name, address and social security number.

Then on January 23^rd, Banana Republic called a credit card holder to check on a random order that showed a “ship-to” address that differed from the billing address, effectively preventing a potential loss of $750.

With incidents of identity theft and fraud unfortunately on the rise, the Crime Prevention Unit offers the following tips for managing your personal information:

1. Assign passwords to your credit card, bank and phone accounts instead of using easily available information like the last four digits of your social security number or your mother’s maiden name.

2. Avoid giving out personal information on the Internet, through the mail, or on the telephone, since identity thieves have been known to pose as representatives of banks, Internet Service Providers and other institutions.

3. Protect your mail and trash. Remove mail from the mailbox as soon as possible, and arrange for the US Postal Service to place a vacation hold on your mail when you are going to be away. Remember to shred all documents that contain personal information before placing them in the garbage.

4. Never carry your social security card in your wallet, and only provide the number when absolutely necessary.

5. Protect your computer by updating virus software and resisting the urge to open links, files or programs sent by unknown persons or companies. These files may contain “spyware” programs that are designed to capture your personal information.

If you believe that you have been the victim of identity theft or fraud, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends the following actions:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review the reports. You should contact any one of the three consumer reporting companies listed below to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two companies to place a similar alert.

        Equifax:                1-800-525-6285             www.equifax.com

         Experian:            1-888-EXPERIAN         www.experian.com

       TransUnion          1-800-680-7289            www.transunion.com

2. Close the accounts that you believe have been tampered with or open fraudulently. If the identity thief has made charges and debits to your existing accounts, ask the representative to send you dispute forms.

3. File a police report in the community where the identity theft or fraud took place, and request a copy of the report for your records.

4. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.

You can file the report online at www.consumer.gov/idtheft or by calling the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free at 1-877-ID-THEFT.

The Maplewood Police Department’s Detective Bureau is vigorously investigating all incidents of fraud and identity theft reported to the department, and the Crime Prevention Unit is actively educating the public in an effort to deter future incidents.

For more information on protecting yourself from identity theft and other scams, please contact Sgt. Dean L. Naddeo, or visit the useful links below:

www.consumer.gov/idtheft/

www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm

www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/alerts.htm

ALERT 05-03: RUNNING, UNATTENDED VEHICLES ARE EASY TARGETS

Vehicle owners are strongly cautioned against leaving any vehicle, old or new, running and unattended. Each winter, scores of vehicles are stolen with the keys in the ignition. Most incidents occur when the owner is simply warming up the car, or quickly running into a convenience store. Thieves actively search for these easy targets on cold winter mornings when the opportunities are plentiful. NEVER leave a child in a car while you are warming it up or running errands. There have been numerous incidents where the child was actually taken along with the car- sometimes even unbeknownst to the car thief! Please don't make it easy for the car thieves- turn the car off, and lock the doors whenever it is unoccupied.

ALERT 05-02: HIGH END VEHICLE THEFTS CAN BE PREVENTED

Thefts of high-end vehicles have continued to plague the state and more specifically, the Essex/ Union county area. Ironically, many of these vehicle thefts can be easily prevented at no cost to the owner, and in one simple step. The list of high-end vehicles most frequently being targeted by thieves include Audi A4 and S4; Acura TL; Infinity G-35 and FX; Lexus; and BMW and Cadillac models. High-end vehicle owners are strongly encouraged to contact Sgt. Dean L. Naddeo of the Crime Prevention Unit at 973- 762-3400 Ext. 443 for specific crime prevention strategies.

ALERT 05-01: HID HEADLIGHT THEFTS CONTINUE STATEWIDE

The theft of HID/ Xenon headlights from high-end vehicles has cost area residents millions of dollars in losses and an immeasurable amount of aggravation. Thieves are making bundles of cash by stealing the headlights (usually causing massive damage in their haste) and reselling them on the street level. Several vehicle makes and models are more susceptible to headlight theft, including Audi, Acura, Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti and Nissan. Nissan has attempted to deter thieves by adding additional security devices and measures. If you own a vehicle equipped with HID/ Xenon headlights, please contact Sgt. Dean L. Naddeo of the Crime Prevention Unit at 973-762-3400 Ext. 443 for specific crime prevention strategies.