Tools stolen from Wal-Mart construction site
In two separate incidents, construction crews working at the site of the new Wal-Mart at Bayonne Crossing Mall reported the theft of thousands of dollars’ worth of construction equipment between April 2 at 3:30 p.m. and April 4 at 6:30 a.m.
A police spokesperson said that a construction crew reported finding the locks broken on five storage containers, from which a variety of equipment had been taken, including diamond saw blades, a generator, and other tools.
In a second report, covering roughly the same time period, the construction crew reported another container broken into, with aluminum wiring and a bandsaw removed.
During the same period, the project manager for the site reported that someone had vandalized two light poles, cutting electrical wires and damaging the light lines.
Investigators are asking for witnesses or others with information about the crimes to call detectives at (201) 858-6925 or the confidential tip line at (877) 900-8477.
Pot bust in basement
Mohamed A. Osman, 20, of Bayonne, along with two Bayonne boys, ages 16 and 17, was charged with alleged possession of marijuana with the alleged intent to distribute after police found the trio in the basement of 592 Broadway, allegedly packaging loose marijuana into plastic bags.
A police spokesperson said a patrol car responded to the site after a call came into the headquarters about three people being in the basement who didn’t belong there.
Police officers entered through an open basement door and reported seeing the three allegedly putting green vegetation into plastic Ziplock bags.
Each was charged with possession, possession to distribute, possession within 1,000 feet of a school, possession within 500 feet of a park, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police said Osman also had an outstanding warrant from Bayonne for $235 in unpaid fines, and was sent to the Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny. The two juveniles were released to the custody of their parents.
Condom theft charged
Ramon L. Cotto, 42, of Jersey City was charged with shoplifting on April 6 when store security at the Rite Aid at 1097 Broadway saw him allegedly putting under his jacket 11 boxes of condoms and two boxes of flu medicine, all valued at $186.02.
Subsequent to arrest, Cotto was found to have outstanding warrants for unpaid finds that included $1,000 from the Jersey City Municipal Court, $5,000 from Newark, $2,000 from Edgewater, and $269 from Scotch Plains.
He was sent to the Hudson County Correctional Facility after his arrest.
Skin lotion leads to arrest
Thomas C. Lentz, 27, listed as homeless, was charged with allegedly attempting to steal six bottles of skin lotion valued at $64.11 from the CVS on Avenue C on April 1. A police spokesperson said that police found two hypodermic syringes on Lentz. He also allegedly had an outstanding no bail warrant from Hudson County Superior Court, and was sent to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny.
Wrong way on a one-way
A police spokesperson said a patrol car reported seeing a car going down 30th Street, a one-way street, the wrong way on April 2 at about 9:13 p.m.
When the police stopped the car, they discovered that the driver, Luis A. Fabre-Munoz, 26, of Linden, had an outstanding warrant for unpaid fines from Perth Amboy, and that the black Mercedes was unregistered, uninsured, and allegedly had fictitious license plates.
Soap theft alleged
Tria L. Walston, 41, of Jersey City, was charged with shoplifting from A&P after store security reported seeing her allegedly leaving the store with unpaid-for merchandise.
A police spokesperson said the patrol car arrived to see Walston crossing the parking lot, carrying a black and white zebra-patterned bag. She allegedly did not respond to their order to halt and dumped the bag into a trash container. The bag contained 31 bars of Dove soap valued at $141.30.
After her arrest, police discovered Walston had $1,182 in unpaid fines from Passaic, $5,000 unpaid fines from Bayonne, and $1,000 from Jersey City.
Sunglasses theft alleged
Edeen Rugo, 42, of Bayonne, was charged with shoplifting from ShopRite on April 2 after store security saw her allegedly remove the price tag from a pair of sunglasses and put them on her head while continuing to shop. Later, she allegedly attempted to leave the store with $94.52 of merchandise without paying. Other items included a St. Patrick’s Day t-shirt, men’s underwear, and some health and beauty items, police said. She also had an outstanding warrant for $100 in unpaid tickets in Jersey City.
Snow blower stolen in February
On April 2, a homeowner on East 16th Street reported that his snow blower was missing from his driveway. A review of the home security camera tapes showed an individual leaving with the machine, a police spokesperson said.
Trespassing charge on Lord Avenue
Tyriek Porch, 20, of Bayonne, was charged with defiant trespassing on April 5 when police responded to the public housing building at 30 Lord Avenue at about 8:37 p.m. on the report of a possible drug deal.
A police spokesperson said that officers arrived at the building to find several men congregating there and the odor of burned marijuana in the air.
The police officers said they recognized Porch from a previous incident in which they had warned him against loitering in an area where signs were visible against such behavior.
Since he was not a resident of the building and appeared to have no legal purpose for being there, the police spokesperson said he was charged, after which he was found to have an outstanding warrant for $89 in unpaid fines to the Bayonne Municipal Court.