Alleged package thief arrested; police seek public’s help
Bayonne Police have arrested a man they said has allegedly been stealing deliveries from residents’ porches, and are asking for the public’s help in identifying other instances of missing packages.
On Nov. 19 at 3:34 p.m., Damien L. Baker, 45, of Avenue C, was arrested at 10th Street and Kennedy Boulevard.
“An off-duty sergeant familiar with Baker from previous arrests of theft of packages from porches observed him in the area of 322 Avenue A allegedly removing a package from someone’s porch and placing its contents into a plastic bag,” said Bayonne Police Lt. Janine Foy.
The sergeant followed Baker to 10th and the Boulevard, where she approached him and allegedly found him in possession of several items that he had allegedly taken from people’s porches, according to Foy.
Baker was allegedly found with an energy drink from 322 Ave. A, as well as a bag with a tagged sweatshirt and a pair of earrings.
“She arrested him for theft at that point,” Foy said. “There was also an outstanding arrest warrant from another incident, where he was identified from a resident’s surveillance camera. An arrest warrant had been issued for that. He was charged with an additional [alleged] theft.”
Baker’s bail was set at $15,000, with a 10-percent cash option. He was remanded to the county jail.
Since his arrest, Baker has been charged with additional thefts.
“Some were based on finding the owners of the items he was in possession of that time and then matching his clothing description and other information to similar thefts that had occurred recently,” Foy said.
Bayonne Police ask anyone who has had packages stolen, but who did not report the incidents, to call the department at (201) 858-6900.
Boulevard man charged with shoplifting
A Bayonne man was arrested for allegedly stealing seven Conair hair trimmers after a Family Dollar manager allegedly observed him taking the items.
The incident occurred on Nov. 29 at 9:33 p.m. at the Family Dollar store on Broadway between 26th and 27th streets, according to Police Lt. Janine Foy.
Anthony C. Passero, 43, of Kennedy Blvd was allegedly observed by the store manager removing the security tags on the hair trimmers, placing the trimmers in his sweatshirt, and leaving the store.
Passero was approached by police at the corner of 27th Street and Broadway, according to Foy.
“Upon seeing the officers, he fled on foot,” she said. “He ran east on 27th Street, toward Avenue E, and he was ultimately found hiding under a vehicle in the area of 375 Avenue E.”
Passero was placed under arrest. The seven hair trimmers, valued at $86.50, were allegedly found in his possession, Foy said.
He was charged with shoplifting, obstructing a governmental function, and resisting arrest, according to Foy.
Passero was released on a summons.
Motor vehicle infraction leads to marijuana charge
A Bayonne man who allegedly did not heed a traffic marker was charged with an additional violation, police said.
On Nov. 23 at 4:21 p.m., Mobolaji Aliyu, 26, of 24th Street in Bayonne was driving a four-door, white Acura at Pulaski Street and Route 440 North when he was pulled over by an officer, according to Lt. Janine Foy.
“He was stopped for a motor vehicle violation, observed in a right turn-only lane while waiting at a red light,” Foy said. “However, he continued to travel straight and [allegedly] did not make a right turn.”
The officer approached Aliyu’s car and detected an odor of raw marijuana from inside it. Aliyu was allegedly found to be in possession of two clear plastic bags containing suspected marijuana, according to Foy. He also had an outstanding warrant out of Jersey City.
Aliyu was issued summonses for careless driving and for possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a vehicle.
His bail was set at $2,500 with a 10-percent cash option, and he was released.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.