Police have arrested a Union City woman who allegedly stole another woman’s cell phone as she was dropping off her boyfriend last Thursday.
According to North Bergen Police, the 19-year-old female victim had dropped off her boyfriend at his Newkirk Avenue residence at 3:40 a.m. on March 11.
While the victim was sitting in her vehicle after her boyfriend exited and went into his home, Stephanie Cardo, 18, of Union City, and another female allegedly pulled up behind her in a black vehicle, said police.
“[Cardo] approached the victim and [allegedly] punched her in the face,” said police. “She fought them off, but they [allegedly] grabbed her T-Mobile cell phone.”
They allegedly grabbed the phone, which was attached to her wrist by a strap, and then left.
Police said after the victim reported the incident, a detective called the phone, saying that the victim wanted her phone back, and to bring it to the police station.
Cardo did and was then arrested for robbery.
Alleged burglary suspect caught by domestic dispute
According to police, Felix DeJesus, 20, of Grand Avenue was arrested for a burglary that occurred last year after first being arrested for a domestic dispute on March 10.
Police were called for a complaint in the parking lot of a motel at 81st Street and Tonnelle Avenue where DeJesus and his girlfriend were allegedly having a dispute. They said that the girlfriend, 23, had some bruises under her right eye and on her right shoulder. She was taken to Palisades Medical Center for treatment.
When they arrived they ascertained DeJesus’ identity and he was arrested for a July 5, 2009 burglary since fingerprints were traced back to him.
Phone led to arrest
According to police, plainclothes officer Robert Scudieri was patrolling the area of 43rd Street around 2 a.m. on March 5 when he witnessed an individual peering into the window of a blue Nissan Pathfinder.
When Scudieri drove past the area, the individual, William Ortiz, 26, of Union, left but returned moments later.
Scudieri returned and witnessed Ortiz allegedly entering the driver’s side door of a white 1995 Honda Accord. The officer approached Ortiz and identified himself, but Ortiz allegedly took off running from the parking lot and Scudieri pursued him, even jumping over a fence, before he lost him.
However, during the chase Ortiz dropped his cell phone and police were able to identify him through a photo on his phone.
When they visited his home, relatives said he wasn’t there and were told by police to tell Ortiz to turn himself in, which he did at 10:20 p.m. on March 6.
He was charged with burglary, resisting arrest, and one count of obstruction. His bail was set at $50,000, which he posted, police said.
UC woman arrested for allegedly stealing $21K
A Union City woman whose fingerprints matched those from a burglary that occurred last September was nabbed after she was arrested for an alleged shoplifting offense and her fingerprints were entered into the state database.
The burglary occurred September 19, 2009 in an apartment above a restaurant on Bergenline Ave. A small safe containing about $20,000 was removed from the victim’s bedroom. The victim also lost $800 in cash taken from his wallet, said police. Detectives lifted prints and sent them to the New Jersey State Police Crime Lab.
When Jasmine Padilla, 21, of Union City, was arrested for shoplifting and her finger prints were entered into the State Police database, North Bergen Police received notification of the fingerprint match by State Police and a warrant was issued.
She was arrested for burglary and theft on March 3. Her bail was set at $50,000 cash, with no bail bond option.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.