Cedar Grove Man Reports Sweepstakes Scam

March 12: At 11:55 p.m., Cedar Grove police pulled over Marilyn C. Alvarado, 30, of Paterson. When checking her license, police found it was suspended and arrested her. She was processed at police headquarters and released pending a municipal court appearance.

March 13: A Cedar Grove man reported he believed he was the intended victim of a sweepstakes scam when he reported receiving a letter from Sure Financial Incorporated informing him he won $450,000.

The letter included a check for $4,850 to pay for a $4,100 sweepstakes-processing fee, along with instructions to call a claims agent for further information. Believing the letter was a scam, the man contacted police.

In scams such as this, the intended victim is instructed to deposit the check and then told to wire money to pay for the processing fee.  The check is ultimately determined to be fraudulent.  The matter was referred to the detective bureau for follow-up investigation. 

Cedar Grove police want to remind residents to be wary of unsolicited notifications informing them that they have won a sweepstakes or lottery. Many offers of this nature are fraudulent in nature and are designed to defraud the participants. Do not provide personal information or send money — legitimate organizations will never ask for money for insurance or taxes. If a resident is unsure of the legitimacy of such an offer, contact the police department for assistance.     

March 13: Cedar Grove police were forced destroy an injured deer at 4:16 p.m. in the area of Pompton Avenue and Union Street.

Police responded to the area on a report of an injured deer. Officers located the deer and discovered it had a broken leg. The deer was then destroyed.

March 14: A 25-year-old Pompton Plains woman was arrested after she set off the metal detector in Cedar Grove Municipal Court and was found to be in possession of marijuana after police searched her pocketbook.

Dina M. DiFranco was appearing in court for a traffic violation, police said. While walking into court at 5:12 p.m., she triggered the metal detector and was asked to open her pocketbook for a weapons inspection.

DiFranco was arrested when police found the marijuana and released pending a municipal court appearance.

March 16: A 15-year-old Cedar Grove youth was struck by a car after exiting a school bus in the area of Pompton Avenue & Franklin Street, police said.

The youth exited the bus, which was stopped northbound on Pompton Avenue with its red lights flashing, and was attempting to cross the street at approximately 3:31 p.m. when a 2003 Ford traveling south on Pompton Avenue struck him, knocking him to ground.

The driver of the car, a 71-year-old Verona woman, said she never saw the stopped school bus or the youth prior to the crash.

The boy suffered a leg injury and was transported to St. Barnabas Medical Center for non-life threatening injuries.

The driver was issued a summons for failing to stop for the school bus.   

March 18: An accident involving motorcycle and a car at the intersection of Pompton and West Bradford avenues sent a Montclair man to the hospital.

Police said the 26-year-old injured motorcyclist was driving a 2002 Honda south on Pompton Avenue at 5:03 p.m. when it was struck by a 2012 Fiat, driven by a 19-year-old Verona man, heading north that was attempting to turn left onto West Bradford Avenue.

The motorcycle driver was ejected from the motorcycle on impact and landed on the southwest corner of the intersection.

The motorcycle driver suffered a leg injury and was transported to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson.

The Fiat driver was issued a summons for making an improper left turn.

The Cedar Grove Police Department requests that the public report all suspicious activity observed, as it occurs.  The police department telephone number is (973) 239-4100, and in case of emergency 9-1-1.  All reports are investigated and all assistance is appreciated.