Saddle Brook Police Department

ALERT INFORMATION

SCAM ALERT

Residential Burglary Results in Jewelry Theft

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - The Saddle Brook Police Department is investigating a residential burglary that resulted in the theft of thousands of dollars of jewelry taken from a home on Saddle River Road near the Bergen County Park.  The burglary was reported to police by the homeowners when they arrived home at 10 pm on Wednesday, January 18, 2012.  The homeowners discovered the rear sliding door to the home, as well as an interior rear sliding door, smashed.  It was determined that the master bedroom was entered and jewelry was taken estimated to be worth up to $30,000.  Upon further investigation it was determined that the home’s burglar alarm system was set off at approximately 7pm, but the police were not notified because when the alarm monitoring company notified the homeowners direct, they (the homeowners) dismissed it as they had experienced previous and recent issues of false alarm occurrences.  The Bergen County Sheriff’s Department assisted in the processing of the home for evidentiary purposes. 

This incident is the third residential burglary of the Township since January, the first occurring on January 1st where a rear slider door was also broken.  In that burglary 4 handguns were stolen and an unspecified amount of jewelry was taken.  On January 13, 2012, another burglary occurred to a home on Outwater Lane where a rear door was broken open and jewelry including an heirloom 100 year-old Saudi Arabian gold necklace, a lap top computer and an Xbox 360 electronic game player was taken.      

“We all need to be focused and vigilant in being observant for anything suspicious in our neighborhoods and in self protecting our homes and valuables.  The neighbors and community at large are in the best position to watch out for one another’s home and immediately notify the police when something doesn’t look or feel right”….Chief Robert J. Kugler                

UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS PROWLING THE AREA FOR "WORK"

On Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10am, Saddle Brook Police stopped a 1998 maroon Chevrolet Pick-up C-1500 with New York license plate FLA2860 that was reportedly driving around the north-end residential neighborhoods attempting to solicit driveway repairs.   The vehicle was operated by Charles Cooper, age 28, of Trumansburg, NY and a passenger who stated they were driving through the area “looking to make money”.  Cooper was found to be driving with a suspended driver's license and issued a motor vehicle summons.  The passenger, from Freehold, NY, also had a suspended driver’s license.  Police found basic tools and supplies including bags of driveway asphalt and concluded any work performed would have been substandard.  A continuing investigation is pending regarding their solicitation of driveway work without a Township permit and without being properly registered as a home improvement contractor with the State of NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.  

               “Its important for the public to be aware that home improvement contractors are required to be properly registered annually with the State of NJ Division of Consumer Affairs.  In compliance with the law, private contractors must have valid liability insurance and not possess past practices and behavior indicative of fraud and/or incompetence”, Chief Robert J. Kugler

NOTE: Additional information pertaining to the State of New Jersey’s Contractors’ Registration Act (NJSA 56:8-136 et seq.) can be found at  www.njconsumeraffairs.gov

WATER COMPANY SCAM

On Monday, January 16, 2012 at approximately 4PM, an unknown suspect attempted to gain entrance to a residential house on Welcome Road (off Market Street) in Saddle Brook.  The suspect rang the doorbell and when the homeowner came to the door, the suspect pretended to be from a Water Company and stated there was a water main break and needed to enter the home to check the home's water supply pipe in the basement.  The homeowner immediately closed the door and called police. No access to the home was granted. The suspect is described as a middle-aged, light-skinned Hispanic looking male, dark hair short to medium in length and wearing dark clothing.  No vehicle was observed in Saddle Brook, however surrounding towns are reporting similar incidents today involving what are described as two Hispanic males in a red pickup truck.

Read corresponding article in the Record on-line, January 17, 2012