Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-May 11, 2011 Issue

May 11, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 15 A 23-year-old Ramsey resident has been arrested for various offenses including aggravated arson and burglary. Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli announced the May 1 arrest of Brian Alvarez, who is employed as a laborer by the Haworth Department of Public Works, and is a volunteer firefighter in Allendale, Waldwick, and Haworth. The investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Arson Squad and the Upper Saddle River Police Department. To date, investigators have learned the following: At approximately 4:28 a.m. on May 1, Alvarez called the Allendale Police Department and reported a structure fire on East Crescent Avenue in what he stated was either Allendale or Ramsey. Responding police and firefighters located the fire, which was at 168 East Crescent Avenue in Upper Saddle River. Alvarez claimed he had been driving down East Crescent Avenue and noticed the fire. Being a member of the Allendale Volunteer Fire Department, he immediately responded to the firehouse after reporting the fire and was among the first on the scene to fight the blaze. Fire departments from numerous mutual aid departments, which included Ramsey, Allendale, Upper Saddle River, and Mahwah responded to fight the fire. One firefighter received a minor knee injury during suppression efforts. He was treated at the scene. The fire caused a significant amount of damage to the single family residence, which is abandoned and owned by the Borough of Upper Saddle River. Area fire departments have used the residence to conduct drills in the past, and it was learned that Alvarez took part in past drills and was aware the house was abandoned. The fire was immediately deemed suspicious since it occurred in an abandoned structure that did not have any working utilities and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Arson Squad was called to investigate. The arson investigators determined the fire was intentionally set in multiple areas in the rear of the house, both inside and on the exterior. Fireﬁghter charged in Upper Saddle River arson Officials learned that this was not the first time Alvarez had reported a fire. In the past, he has called in vehicle fires and brush fires in several area towns. The investigation into those fires is continuing. Alvarez was charged with aggravated arson, second degree; arson, third degree; and burglary. third degree. His bail was set at $75,000, no 10 percent option. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance on May 3 in Upper Saddle River Municipal Court. Prosecutor Molinelli states that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He thanked all participating agencies for their assistance and cooperation, particularly the involved fire departments and the Upper Saddle River Police Department. At 8:30 p.m. on April 20, a 19-year-old Hawthorne male was arrested. Officer Kevin Van Dyk initiated a traffic stop when he observed the vehicle had tinted windows. When the driver lowered the window, a strong odor of burnt marijuana emanated from the vehicle. The driver stated a friend was smoking marijuana and left the cigarette in the dashboard compartment. The defendant then retrieved one brown burnt marijuana cigarette. The driver was transported to headquarters, processed, and charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, and issued a summons for tinted windows. He was released and is to appear in the Midland Park Municipal Court. Detective John Gibbons and Officer Gaeta assisted in the investigation. On April 21 at 2:15 a.m., a Garret Place resident reported the theft of his automobile. The victim reported he heard a vehicle start up and observed his vehicle being backed out of the driveway at a high rate of speed. A larceny sheet was completed stating his 2003 Volkswagen Jetta valued at $6,800, and a Garmin GPS valued at $150 were stolen. Sergeant Gregory Kasbarian and Officer Van Dyk investigated. Patrols responded to Spruce Street and Westbrook Avenue on a report of a hit and run motor vehicle crash at 12:15 a.m. on April 23. The driver, a 17-year-old male resident of Bank Street struck a tree and fled the scene. A trail of fluid was followed, and the driver was located. Midland Park Police Department Report Field sobriety tests were conducted, and the male was subsequently arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated. He was issued summonses for reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, provisional driver violations, and driving while intoxicated in a school zone. He was released into the custody of his father. Sergeant Kasbarian and Officer Kenneth Junta investigated. On April 25, a Midland Park High School student reported to Officer Van Dyk that her cellular phone was taken from her locker. The Blackberry Curve phone was valued at $500. The incident was referred to the detective bureau. The manager of a local business reported to Detective Gibbons on April 26 that his business received seven counterfeit $20 bills on April 11. As the result of a motor vehicle stop on April 30 at 12:40 a.m., a 51-year-old Waldwick female resident was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Officer Michael Canonico observed the driver of the vehicle was having difficulty in maintaining a lane of traffic on Godwin Avenue. In speaking with the driver, Officer Canonico detected an alcoholic beverage emanating from within the vehicle and conducted field sobriety tests. The female was subsequently arrested and transported to headquarters. Sergeant Michael Powderley and Officer Gaeta assisted. It’s time to plant. Come visit our 55,000 sq. ft. enclosed greenhouse! 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