Police Busy With DWIs, Shoplifting, Large Fight

May 15: West Orange police are investigating an incident in which a total of 17 windows were broken during the past two weeks at a Columbia Street business.

According to police, three windows, located 18 feet off the ground, were reported broken with a baseball on May 8. Police investigated the incident at that time, but were unable to find any suspects. Police believe children were playing in the area and might be responsible for this incident because they found stones littering a grassy area beneath the windows and children play in the area.

Police were unsuccessful in their attempts to speak to neighbors to see if they had heard anything.

Damage is estimated at approximately $1,700. The victim is insured.

May 16: West Orange police are looking for a thin, black man approximately 6-foot, 2-inches tall, in his late teens or early 20s who stole a car idling outside Frozanni’s Deli on Kingsley Street.

The car’s owner said he left his keys in the blue 2000 Toyota Solara with the engine running at 9 a.m. when he saw the man jump into his car and drive off onto Route 280 East.

A witness described the man as having short hair and wearing a purple rain slicker or windbreaker. The suspect approached the car, jumped in and drove off. The witness said she believed she could identify the suspect if she saw him again.

The victim said he had an iPad and computer in the car as well as the keys to his home.

May 16: Two West Orange men were arrested on disorderly conduct charges after police broke up a group of approximately 40 men who they believe were about to get involved in a fight at Colgate Park at 3:43 p.m.

Devon Abu Gray and Wise Star Suggs were arrested following the incident at the park.

Police were called about a disturbance at the park and arrived to find the group in the middle of Ridge Street about to fight. The men were yelling at each other and began pushing each other when police arrived.

When police arrived, all but eight of the men dispersed. The men, police said, continued to argue and scream obscenities at each other. Police said Suggs was seen chasing after a group in an attempt to start the fight. 

After the two men were arrested, police said the group dispersed in separate directions.

Both men were taken to police headquarters, processed and released with summonses to appear in West Orange municipal court n May 31.

May 16: West Orange police investigated damage to a black 2002 Chevy Avalanche the owner says was parked on Bryn Mawr Road and was damaged when an electrical transformer exploded. The car, which was insured, had damage to the windshield and also had an unknown residue on the hood.

May 16: An Oxford Terrace resident told police at approximately 7 p.m. a white pickup truck containing two Hispanic men stopped at the end of her driveway before it suddenly took off.

The resident later discovered the items at the bottom of her driveway were gone.

The woman said she’s seen the truck in the past in her neighborhood.

May 17: A woman reported her black iPhone, valued at $400, was stolen from her gym bag while she showered at the JCC between 9:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. The woman contacted her cellphone service provider when she returned home and reported the phone stolen.

May 18: A West Orange woman told police her daughter’s friend was struck by a car while crossing Pleasant Valley Way between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

The victim said she was walking north on Pleasant Valley Way when a tan-colored car struck her on the left side of her body as she crossed the roadway near Firehouse No. 4.

The driver, described as a woman in her 50s with curly blond hair got out of the car and asked if the victim was OK. The victim said she told the driver she was and the driver got back in her car and resumed driving.

The victim, however, felt pain in her left leg and fell to the ground. She refused medical attention, police said.

May 19: Breonna Marie Singleton of East Orange was arrested for shoplifting after Kmart store security saw her loading $342 worth of cosmetics, clothing and shoes in a large bag and leaving the store without paying for the items.

Singleton entered the store and began looking around for where the cameras were situated, police said, before entering the cosmetics aisle and stuff items in the bag. She then was seen taking several pieces of clothing and shoes and placing them in the same bag.

She was stopped by store security after she left the store and police were called to arrest her.

Singleton was charged with one count of shoplifting and will appear in municipal court on Thursday.

May 21:  Jean G. Cadeau, 35, of Orange was arrested on numerous charges, including driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident, after his silver 2001 Mercedes 350 was involved in car accident.

Cadeau was charged with driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, failure to maintain a lane, reckless driving, failure to use a signal, careless driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, obstruction of view and failure to change his address.

West Orange police said Cadeau struck a parked car in the area of Valley Road and Cary Street and continued driving — crossing over into oncoming traffic and swerving on the roadway. Police then began a pursuit of the car.

When Cadeau reached South Jefferson Street in Orange, he pulled over and attempted to get out of the car. Police saw a cut on his face and said he was bleeding profusely from the wound, sustained from the accident.

Polic said there was a strong alcohol smell as soon as Cadeau opened the door, but he had a difficult time standing and had to be assisted by police. He was then arrested. 

The West Orange rescue squad was called for medical assistance with the blood on his face, but Cadeau refused any additional treatment.

Cadeau was transported to police headquarters and issued a summons to appear in municipal court on Jun 12.