Case Update June 30, 2023
On June 21 2023, at 10:02 am, Millburn Police Officer Reid responded to Walgreens for a report of a
shoplifting theft that just occurred. Walgreens associates reported that a black male (age 49), later
identified as Marcus Peay, out of Newark and a white male , age 38 later identified as Russel Harnew of
Freehold NJ, had concealed a large amount of candy valued at $496.20 and left the store without
paying. Officer Dalakian and Kerwien were able to locate Marcus Peay walking on Route 124 .Peay was
placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting, he was later released on her own recognizance.
Harnew was later charged with shoplifting and conspiracy to commit shoplifting.
On June 21, 2023, at 3:51 pm, Millburn Police Officer Griffin responded to Sunglass Hut at the Mall at
Short Hills for a report of shoplifting. Sunglass Hut associates reported that two Hispanic Males entered
the store, one of the males concealed a pair of Dior sunglasses ($510.00) in his shirt and left the store
without paying. The two males were then seen leaving in a black BMW X3 with Vermont license plates.
Officer Kerwien located the suspect vehicle traveling east on Route 24. He conducted a motor vehicle
stop at Route 24 east at exit 8. As Officer Kerwien was approaching the vehicle the vehicle took off down
the shoulder at a high rate of speed eluding Officer Kerwien’s motor vehicle stop. Shortly after the
suspect vehicle was in left lane of route 24 east stuck in traffic. At this time, Millburn Detective DeRosa,
Detective Royce, and Officer Kerwien were able to stop the suspect vehicle and detain the two males
without further incident. The stolen Dior sunglasses were recovered, along with three other pair of
stolen sunglasses from Nordstrom’s. The driver Andres Tellez-Gonzalez, age 29, of College Point NY was
arrested and charged with shoplifting, Eluding, and multiple motor vehicle violations and was later
released on his own recognizance. The passenger, later identified as Nicolas Diaz-Gonzalez out of
College Point NY, was charged with Hindering, receiving stolen property, and shoplifting.
On June 22, 2023 at 12:06 pm, Millburn Police Officer Palmer located a stolen vehicle parked and
occupied in the parking deck at The Mall at Short Hills. The vehicle was a stolen 2022 Nissan Rogue
stolen out of New York City. Officer Palmer and Officer Reid arrested the driver without incident. The
search incident to arrest recovered a zip lock bag of cocaine and multiple stolen credit cards. The driver
Dong Liang age 33, of Linden NJ was charged with receiving stolen property, drug possession and credit
card theft and released on his own recognizance.
On June 23, 2023 at 12:06 pm, Millburn Police Officer Reid located a vehicle with a stolen license plate
parked unoccupied at The Mall at Short Hills. The vehicle was a silver Honda Odyssey with a stolen
license plate affixed over the vehicle’s proper registration. Several minutes later, Officer Reid and Officer
Dundon were able to locate the owner of the vehicle walking to his vehicle. The Owner Yao Ren, age 52,
of Short Hills was arrested without incident. He was charged with receiving stolen property tampering
with public records and released on his own recognizance.
On June 24, 2021 at 12:02 pm Millburn Police Officer Dalakian stopped a 2021 black BMW on JFK
Parkway for motor vehicle violations. The investigation led to the arrest of Rasoul Brooks, age 39, of
Philadelphia PA, for open warrants out of Depford NJ. Brooks was issued summonses and later released
on his own recognizance by Depford NJ.
On June24 2023, at 1:00 pm, Millburn Police Officer Manuyag responded to Walgreens on Morris Ave on
a report of a shoplifting theft that just occurred. Walgreens associates reported that a male (age 50),
later identified as Joel Varela, out of Perth Amboy, had concealed multiple items valued at $198.00 and
left the store without paying. Officer Manuyag was able to locate this male walking east on Route 124.
After further investigation, Joe Varela was placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting. He was also
had an active warrant out of Nutley NJ, who responded and took custody of him.
On June 25, 2023 at 4:40 pm, Millburn Police Officer Carroll stopped a 2018 grey Lexus at the Short Hills
mall. The vehicle’s owner had an active warrant for burglary out of Newark. The owner of the vehicle
Eugene Ohmeng, age 28, of West New York was arrested, and transported to Millburn Police HQ for
processing. His vehicle was impounded. Newark Police responded and took custody of the suspect.
On June 25, 2023 at 10:53 pm, Millburn Police Officer Matos stopped a 2008 Infiniti FX3 at Essex st for a
motor vehicle violation. The investigation led to the arrest of Martin Murphy, age 61, of South Orange,
for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Murphy was charged with DWI and later released to an
acquaintance.
On June 27, 2023, at 1:30 am Millburn Police Officer Kostovski responded to a Long Hill Drive residence
on a report of a burglary to the residence. The resident reported that video showed at 01:09 am a
Cadillac arrived and parked in front of the residence, two Male actors exited vehicle, the two suspects
forced entry to the residence through a front window. The actors ransacked the kitchen and stole a
purse and the keys to a BMW X6 and a Range Rover which were parked in the driveway. They then
exited the residence and stole the parked BMW and Rang Rover. They then fled the area. This incident
remains under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.
On June 28 2023 at 01:46 am, Millburn Police Officer Recinos located a stolen vehicle traveling south on
Whit Oak Ridge Rd. The vehicle was a stolen 2019 Mercedes Benz. Officer Recinos attempted to stop the
vehicle and the vehicle fled. Officer Recinos pursued the vehicle south on White Oak Ridge Rd onto Rout
24 east. Officer Recinoa continued to pursue the stolen vehicle, but shortly after had to terminate due
to safety concerns. This incident remains under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.
On June 30, 2023, at 4:01 am Millburn Police Officer Bifano responded to a Keats road residence on a
report of a burglary to a vehicle. The owner reported that an actor wearing dark clothing and gloves
entered the driver’s door of his unlocked Audi Q5. The actor is then seen leaving in a red Kia Sportage.
Officer Wichelns located the suspect vehicle, and was able to confirm that the vehicle was stolen out of
Newark. Officer Wichelns attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle fled. Officer Wichelns pursued
the vehicle south on White Oak Ridge Rd onto Rout 24 east but shortly after had to terminate due to
safety concerns. This incident remains under investigation by the Millburn Police Detective Bureau.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or
are found guilty in a court of law.
