YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: A traffic stop by a Maywood police officer led to the discovery of checks, jewelry a laptop and other items reported stolen during a series of car burglaries in Dumont last week.
Officer Jason Liaban stopped the car on Route 17 just before 4 a.m. Saturday, Maywood Police Chief David Pegg told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
He quickly learned that the driver and owner, Joseph Stern, 29, of New Milford (above, right), had a suspended license, then discovered him carrying crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia, the chief said.
Stern’s passenger, 47-year-old David Osorio of Bergenfield (left), had what were believed to be burglary tools, he added.
A consented search then turned up the checks, jewelry and laptop, along with a GPS unit, E-ZPass transponder, coins and various paperwork, Pegg said.
A computer check turned up an outstanding drug warrant for Osorio out of New York City, he said.
Osorio and Stern were charged with possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and failing to surrender drugs to authorities, Pegg said.
Stern also received four traffic summonses, he said.
Additional charges were pending while police determine ownership and value of the stolen goods. Several other police agencies are also reviewing the inventory for similar crimes in their jurisdictions, Pegg said.
Stern was released pending a court hearing, while Osorio remained held on $7,500 in the Bergen County Jail today.
MUGSHOTS: Courtesy MAYWOOD PD