Madison Police: Suspect Charged in Diversionary Theft, Essex County Man Charged with Drug Charges

In the latest press release from the Madison Police Department, a Morris County man was charged in a diversionary theft, two men face charges of simple assault and an Essex County man faces marijuana charges.

On April 2, 2015 at 9:00 am, Detective Shannon served charges on a 57 year old resident of Morristown. The suspect was identified allegedly committing a diversionary theft at the Main Street Wine Cellar, on March 22, 2015. Madison officers responded to the business on a reported theft of cash from the register. An employee stated she was briefly distracted by a customer, and quickly realizing the customer stole almost $300.00 from the store’s register. After an investigation by the Detective Bureau, the suspect was identified as the person responsible for the theft. Honorable Gary F. Troxell approved a warrant charging the suspect with theft and bail was set at $10,000 with no 10% option. The suspect who was already being lodged at the Morris County Correctional facility on an unrelated matter was served with this additional charge.

On April 2, 2015 at 2:00 pm, Ptl. Glab arrested a 32 year old resident of East Orange. While Glab was conducting motor vehicle enforcement on Main Street, he observed the suspect allegedly using his cell phone while in operation of a vehicle. Glab stopped the suspect and immediately observed evidence of suspected marijuana in the vehicle. The suspect was charged with Possession of Marijuana less than 50 grams, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving with a Suspended Drivers License and Using a Hand Held Device While Operating a Motor Vehicle. The suspect was released on his own recognizance and scheduled to appear in the Madison Municipal Court.

On April 3, 2015 at 9:03 pm, Detective Kenneth Shannon apprehended two juveniles, a 16 year old male from Madison, and a 15 year old male from Tacoma Park, MD. While Shannon was conducting a check of James Park he encountered two suspicious individuals in the gazebo. While Shannon was verifying the welfare of the youths, he discovered the 16 year old was allegedly in possession of a folding knife and suspected marijuana. Both boys were transported to police headquarters where they were released to their parents.

On April 4, 2015 at 9:53 pm, Ptl. Spiros Milonas arrested a 24 year old resident of Clifton, NJ and a 21 year old resident of Garfield, NJ. Milonas responded to a North St. residence on a reported assault taking place. When Milonas arrived the victim relayed that the suspects, both who were known to him, punched and kicked him to the ground while outside the residence. The pair then fled the scene in a gray Volkswagen just prior to officers arriving. Police dispatch quickly radioed to surrounding jurisdictions for a “stop and hold” on the suspect vehicle. Florham Park Police located them traveling on Route 24 West and awaited the arrival of Madison officers. Both individuals were taken into police custody.

One suspect was charged with Terroristic Threats and Simple Assault while the other was charged with Simple Assault.

Judge Troxell released both suspects on their own recognizance pending their appearance in the Morris County Superior Court.

On April 5, 2015 at 6:33 pm, Ptl. Stephanie Corrao arrested a 30 year old resident of Columbia, NJ. Corrao responded to the area of 24 Community Pl. to investigate a man wearing a black hat urinating on a dumpster. When Corrao arrived she identified the suspect as the person who urinated on the dumpster. While speaking to the suspect, it was discovered he had a no bail warrant issued for Nonsupport. The suspect was arrested and turned over to the Morris County Sherriff’s Department.

On April 8, 2015 at 10:17 am, Sgt. Sean Plumstead and Ptl. Kevin Marhefka arrested a 23 year old resident of Madison. Officers responded on a reported suspicious green Honda occupied in the rear of a Ridgedale Avenue apartment complex. When officers arrived they found the suspect seated in the vehicle with suspected marijuana and a marijuana pipe allegedly in his possession. Marhefka charged the suspect with Possession of less than 50 grams of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The suspect was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in the Madison Municipal Court.

On April 8, 2015 at 11:20 pm, Ptl. Christopher Burans arrested a 56 year old resident of Dover. Ptl. Goncalves and Ptl. Burans were conducting a check of the NJ Transit train platform. While checking the area he observed the suspect allegedly consuming a beer and smoking a cigarette in the waiting area. While the officers were speaking to the suspect about the beer and smoking violation, they discovered he had four warrants totaling $1,900 issued for Failure to Appear. The suspect was cited by Ptl. Burans with Possession / Consumption of an Alcoholic beverage in a public place, then turned over to the Morristown Police Department as he was unable to post bail for their warrant.

The Madison Police Department has responded on 36 medical calls, 15 motor vehicle crashes and 37 activated alarms so far in April.