June Police Report: Accidental Chemical Release at Pleasant Valley Pool, Thefts, Identity Scams

BERNARDS TWP., NJ _ During June, Bernards Township police officers responded to calls ranging from a variety of thefts, unauthorized use of an EZ Pass, and received earlier incidents of identity thefts and scams that reportedly led to losses of more than $200,000 for township residents. Police also were called to assist at the accidental release of a pool chemical that apparently sickened seven children at Pleasant Valley Pool last Friday.

Township police also responded to 28 motor vehicle crashes during the month. There were four injuries reported and 15 motor vehicle summonses issued, according to the June police report.

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Pool chemical fumes released at Pleasant Valley Pool, children suffer symptoms

Shortly before 6 p.m. last Friday, June 28, police said that seven children in the "gaga pit" at the township's Pleasant Valley Pool at Pleasant Valley Park were exposed to fumes from a pool chemical when the pool's manager was in a chemical shed working with the substance, when the shed's exhaust fan turned on.

The fan began blowing the chemical, identified as Hypochlorite solution, in the direction of the play area occupied by the children, according to the police report filed by Ofc. Omar Caponpon.

The police report said that when officers arrived at the pool, seven children were exhibiting symptoms of chemical exposure, including coughing, difficulty breathing and vomiting.

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Additional police arrived at the pool with oxygen to assist the children, police said. Emergency medical personnel, township firefighters and a Hazmat team also responded to the scene, according to police.

The children were further treated on the scene by basic life support and advanced life support ambulance services before being transported to Morristown Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment, the police report said.

The fire department washed down the area prior to leaving the scene, the police report said.

Also during June:

• On June 2, patrol officers responded to a complaint that illegal dumping had taken place at a new construction site on North Alward Avenue. Sgt. Chris Baxter reportedly was told an unknown individual had dumped several bags of trash in the construction dumpster. Baxter was able to locate a receipt and identify a possible suspect, the report said. Baxter contacted the suspect and had the trash removed, police said.

• On June 3, at approximately 7:19 a.m., patrol officers responded to Quincy Road for downed wires. Officers on scene learned a charter bus departing William Annin School may have possibly taken down the wires while passing by. Notifications were made to appropriate authorities to fix the wires.

• On June 3, at approximately 8:53 a.m. Sgt. Kevin Little responded to another dumping complaint at an office complex on Morristown Road (Rt. 202). Little was reportedly provided with video of a 2023 Tesla SW dumping trash in the parking lot on the evening of May 31. Little was able to identify the driver/register owner as Kishore Alugupalli of Horsham, Pa., according to police. Little issued Alugupalli a summons for littering.

• On June 3, at approximately 4:06 p.m., patrol officers responded to a business on Mount Airy Road for a trespassing complaint. Upon arrival, officers learned two former employees had shown up at the business to retrieve pay checks. While at the business a verbal dispute allegedly occurred between the former employees and management, according to the police report. Management reportedly requested the former employees leave the premises and were trespassing on the property. Both employees were advised of management’s trespass request by officers and the former employees left without incident, according to the police report.

• On June 4, at approximately 1:04 p.m., patrol officers responded to the Delta Gas Station on Valley Road for the reported theft of gas. Officers were told a commercial vehicle had left the station without paying for $29.26 in gas. Officers contacted the management of the commercial vehicle and learned there was a misunderstanding with the driver and payment, according to police. Officers were able to rectify the issue and payment was received by Delta Gas for the outstanding balance, the report said.

• On June 4, at approximately 7:54 p.m., patrol officers responded to Mountain Park for a suspicious incident and an apparent dispute involving a welfare check, police reported. Somerset County Communications received a call from a concerned citizen about a woman allegedly yelling at an elderly male and acting in a disorderly at the park, police reported. Ofc. William Krajicek arrived on the scene and attempted to speak with Jennifer Kreshak, 52, of Warren Township about her conduct, the police report said. Kreshak allegedly refused to speak with the officer and supposedly began creating a hazardous or physically dangerous situation that served no legitimate purpose, according to the police report. Krajicek attempted to de-escalate the situation with Kreshak who was actively resisting the officer until he arrested Kreshak on a charge of disorderly conduct, police said. Kreshak was issued a complaint summons and provided a municipal court date for this incident, according to the police report.

• On June 5, at approximately 2:19 p.m., patrol officers responded to a residence on Spruce Street on a report that the rear window had been broken out on a 2008 black Toyota FJ Cruiser. Upon arrival, officers were told by the complainant that no property from the vehicle was missing, and that several landscaping trucks were in the area working and could have inadvertently caused the damage.

• On June 6, at approximately 8:15 a.m., Ofc. Dominick Aboosamara was conducting a property check at the Courtyard Marriott on Martinsville Road, when he reportedly located a stolen Trail King step deck trailer in the rear parking lot, which police valued at about $50,000. Aboosamara reportedly observed that the VIN number on the trailer was partially scratched out. Aboosamara contacted John Searles, 58, of Vauxhall, NJ., in the hotel, and Searles reportedly admitted using the trailer after recently purchasing it for cash. Police said Searles was placed under arrest on the charge of possession of stolen property, police said. Searles was issued a complaint summons by Aboosamara for the alleged possession of stolen property, police said. He was released from police custody pending a municipal court appearance, the police report said.

• On June 9, at approximately 1:46 a.m., Ofc. Kyle McCartney reportedly observed a 2016 black Audi A4 traveling northbound on Martinsville Road above the posted speed limit before stopping the vehicle. The driver was identified as Uzoemezi Edozie, of Suffern, N.Y., police said. McCartney allegedly observed signs of possible impairment, and arrested Edozie for allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI). Edozie was transported to police headquarters for processing, before he was later released to a responsible party and issued several motor vehicle summonses, according to police.

• On June 9, at approximately 9:08 a.m., patrol officers responded to a residence on Valley Road upon receiving a report of an assault. Upon arrival, an adult male reported an adult female had slapped him in the face during a verbal dispute. Officers received conflicting statements, saw no signs of injury and the reporting party denied medical attention. The accused adult female denied slapping the adult male. Both adults were advised of municipal complaint signing procedures and the reporting party left the residence, according to police.

• On June 10, patrol officers responded to a residence on Alexandria Way for a reported theft of several credit cards that were said to have been stolen from the resident’s wallet. The victim told police that on June 9, a contractor and several workers had been working on the roof of the residence. The matter is being investigated by the detective bureau, police said.

• On June 11, patrol officers received a complaint of unauthorized use of an EZ Pass. The complainant, who resides on Fairbanks Lane, told police they sold a 2016 Honda Accord approximately two years prior but are still receiving EZ Pass violations. The complainant believes that possibly an EZ Pass unit was left in the vehicle when it was sold. The complainant was advised to contact EZ Pass to dispute the charges.

• On June 13, at approximately 3:55 a.m., patrol officers responded to the Martinsville Exxon on Martinsville Road after the station employees reported that a red 2021 Toyota Rav4 had obtained $10 in gas and fled the station without paying. The attendant described the driver as a white male. Officers later learned the vehicle was reported stolen out of Edison, the police report said. This matter is being investigated by the township detective bureau.

• On June 13, patrol officers responded to the Grain House Restaurant located on Morristown Road for a theft report. Upon arrival, an employee of Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. reported approximately 350 gallons of used cooking oil had been stolen from the storage bin. The employee estimated the last pickup of used cooking oil by the company was approximately November 2022. This matter is being investigated by the township detective bureau.

• On June 14, patrol officers responded to a residence on Carteret Trail for a report of theft of a package. Upon arrival, officers were told that FedEx had delivered two iPhones and left the package at the front door. The victim reportedly discovered the package was missing and notified police of the incident, which is being investigated by the township detective bureau. The value of the stolen phones was estimated at $1,459.98, police said.

• On June 16, patrol officers responded to a residence on Cameron Court for a report that a bicycle and electric scooter had been stolen from a front lawn on Tuxford Terrace. The value of both items is approximately $728, according to the police report. The incident is being investigated by the township detective bureau.

• On June 17, patrol officers responded to a reported burglary to motor vehicle and theft report on Chestnut Court. Upon arrival, officers reportedly learned that the vehicle had been left unlocked and entered sometime between June 15 to 17. Several items had been stolen from the vehicle and the matter is being investigated by the township detective bureau, police said.

• On June 22, patrol officers responded to a residence on Somerville Road for a reported suspicious incident, which the resident described as an unknown male who was shirtless wearing jeans and no shoes walked up to a sliding door of their residence. The unknown male did not enter or attempt entry into the residence before leaving the property, police said. This matter is being investigated by the township detective bureau.

• On June 23, at approximately 1:15 a.m., Ofc. Timothy Polizzi conducted a motor vehicle stop on a grey 2018 Toyota Rav4 allegedly traveling above the posted 40 mph speed limit on Valley Road near Martinsville Road, police said. After stopping the vehicle, Polizzi identified the driver as Alexander Sadowski, 30, of Philadelphia, Pa., police said. Polizzi allegedly observed signs of impairment and Sadowski was administered standard field sobriety tests, according to police. Sadowski was arrested on a charge of driving while intoxicated and transported to police headquarters, the report said. Polizzi issued Sadowski several motor vehicle summonses and was released pending a municipal court appearance, according to police.

• On June 23, patrol officers responded to the YMCA on Mount Airy Road to answer a complain of criminal mischief, police said. Upon arrival, officers learned a blue 2008 Nissan Quest, which was parked in the parking lot, had apparently been damaged, police said. The damage appeared consistent with keying and the driver of the vehicle was not aware of who had possibly inflicted the damage, police said. Patrol officers checked the parking lot and did not find any other vehicles damaged, the report said.

• On June 27, patrol officers responded to Balsam Way for a criminal mischief complaint. The victim told police someone had purposely vandalized their storage room door, possibly on Monday June 24. No entry was attempted into the door, according to police, who are investigating the matter.

• During the month of May, Bernards Township received approximately eight reports of identity theft and scams with approximately $210,500 in losses to Bernards Township residents.

The Bernard’s Township police would like to remind everyone to report suspicious activity observed by calling the department at 908-766-1122. Suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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