Cranford Police: Five Finger Discount Thwarted at Walgreen's

Cranford Police arrests recently include two suspected shoplifters on South Avenue East; one allegedly attempting to steal a camera card at Walgreen's and the other a Blackberry smartphone at the Cranford Car Wash. Officers also detained drivers possessing suspected illegal drugs.

Saturday, Aug. 21

• After noticing that both the driver and passenger of a 2000 Dodge Durango weren't wearing seatbelts, Ptl. Spencer Durkin pulled over the vehicle at around midnight by Jackson Drive and Commerce Drive, according to Detective Sgt. Quinn of the Cranford Police Department. While speaking to the two, the officer noticed a suspected marijuana cigarette in the car. The two occupants were arrested and charged with possessing under 50 grams of marijuana; George Rosenberry, 32, and James Milligan, 36, both from Rockford, Illinois.

• After smashing his vehicle into a fence by Behnert Place, Cranford resident Mark Smith Jr., 22, allegedly attempted to flee on foot from the scene. Following a suspicious trail of fluid and debris, Ptl. Kelly Sretemovic located Smith on Oraton Drive around 1 a.m., Quinn said. The suspect was arrested, charged with driving while intoxicated, disorderly conduct and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident.

Friday, Aug. 20

• Allegedly removing a camera memory card from a package, suspected shoplifter David Palmatier, 27, of Scotch Plains attempted to flee the Walgreen's at 50 South Avenue East around 2:30 p.m., according to Quinn. He assaulted an employee when confronted. After Cranford Police were called, the memory card was recovered by officers and Ptl. Thomas Bell took Palmatier into custody. No employees were injured in the incident, according to Quinn.

Thursday, Aug. 19

• A Blackberry smartphone was stolen at the Cranford Car Wash on South Avenue East. After investigating, Ptl. Patrick Fay and Det. Robert Montague arrested the suspected thief – Fredy Morente-Mayen, 30, a Plainfield resident at 10:30 a.m. The court date for Morente-Mayen was set for Aug. 23. Police recovered the smartphone, hidden behind a piece of equipment, according to Quinn.

Tuesday, Aug. 17

• Ptl. Timothy O'Brien arrested 27-year-old Juan Casillas, a Garwood resident, around 11 a.m. and charged him with marijuana possession. A passenger in a 2004 Jeep Liberty which O'Brien pulled over due to an inoperative brake light, Casillas was taken out of the vehicle after O'Brien observed him concealing suspected marijuana in a cigar package, according to Quinn. The arrest was made around the intersection of East North Avenue and Forest Avenue. 

• Ptl. Thomas Stiansen arrested Rahway resident Michael Giuliano, 29, around 9:30 p.m. and charged him with possession of suspected prescription drugs believed to be  Xanax and oxycodone. The officer stopped the suspect in a closed bank parking lot around the intersection of Raritan Road and Commerce Drive,  finding several bags of pills on his person.