Nutley police search for suspect who held up Commerce Bank Sunday

Police say suspect was a Black man who fled in black car

NUTLEY — Police and the FBI need your help finding a suspect who is believed to have held up a Commerce Bank on Kingsland Street Sunday afternoon at around 2:25.

Detective Lt. Steven Rogers, of the Nutley police Detective Bureau, says the suspect, described as a black man, around 45 years old, wearing a white fisherman’s hat and glasses, entered the bank Sunday afternoon with a note that demanded money. Rogers says the teller gave the suspect an unknown amount of cash. The suspect, who was unarmed, then fled, in an unknown direction, in a black car.

At present, the Nutley Police Department is investigating the matter along with the FBI, according to Rogers. He says both agencies are in the process of reviewing surveillance footage to get a better description and picture of the suspect.

No one was injured during the holdup, Rogers said.

Rogers urges anyone who was near the bank Sunday at around 2:25 p.m. — and who might have seen the suspect — to call the Detective Bureau immediately at 973-284-4940.

Petracco: Let's think about building a parking lot in Nutley

NUTLEY — Parking has always been somewhat of a problem in downtown Nutley, so Public Safety Commissioner Al Petracco is forming a committee to study the feasibility and practicality of building a parking facility in the business district.

Appointed to the committee were Vincent LaCurcio, vice president of the Nutley Chamber of Commerce; Sandra Carella, of the Nutley Public Safety Department; Fire Chief Fred Scalera; Tony Iannoarone and Robert Russignolo, civic leaders; Linda Diacheysn, citizen; and Ken Reilly, of the Nutley Board of Education.

“I am reaching out to business, industry and most importantly, the taxpayers of our community for input on this proposal,” Petracco said. “I will keep the public informed every step of the way as we proceed.”

During his campaign for a seat on the Nutley Board of Commissioners, Petracco pledged to explore new and innovative ways to attract businesses to the downtown business district. He stated the construction of a parking facility would boost the township’s economic base by attracting successful businesses and shoppers, which in turn would generate revenue to the township treasury.

He believes that the first step toward achieve this goal is to ensure attracting business owners who want to invest in Nutley — and, as such, ensuring there is enough available parking.

“We have a number of good selling points we should capitalize on, selling points which business owners look for when seeking locations to make big investments,” the commissioner said

Petracco says that the selling points included a police department that keeps Nutley a very safe place to work and live, a parks department which maintains beautiful parks, a public works department which keeps the township clean, a public affairs department which provides a number of public events designed to present Nutley as a wonderful place to work at and live in and a finance department which works vigorously to maintain a low tax base for home and business owners.

“All we need to do now is to provide an attractive, clean, and safe parking facility,” Petracco said.

The commissioner says with gas prices beginning to have a negative impact on many families — especially senior citizens — traveling to malls and larger shopping centers will soon become a thing of the past.

“I want to provide our citizens a world-class downtown shopping district with stores and shops which will meet their needs,” he said. “I have heard from many senior citizens who told me they don’t drive, cannot afford transportation to malls and do not have anywhere close to shop for clothes. I think it’s about time we find a way to attract a clothing chain which services senior citizens.”

The commissioner says in order to attract businesses to Nutley and to begin the process of revenue generation, “We will have to show investors that we have adequate, clean and safe parking available for customers. Once we have such a parking facility in place, I am confident the business community will respond.”

Essex Prosecutor's Office: Fire victim was burned badly; dental records were used to identify her

The Nutley woman who died in a fire at 276 Harrison St. Thursday morning was burned so badly that authorities had to used dental records to positively identify her, Essex County Prosecutor's Office Press Secretary Paul Loriquet said today.

The victim was ultimately identified as 35-year-old Rebecca Lee, of 276 Harrison St., according to Nutley Fire Inspector Lt. David Wilson.

The fire, which was reported to public safety at 5:42 Thursday morning, was contained to the home's second floor, according to Wilson. It was completely extinguished within 15 minutes of the fire department's arrival on the scene.

As Nutley units worked at the scene, units from Belleville and Lyndhurst provided backup coverage for the rest of the town, according to Wilson.

The Nutley Fire Department, Nutley Police Department, Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the Regional Medical Examiners Office are conducting a full-scale investigation as to the cause of the fire, Wilson said.

About an hour after officials left the scene of the fire, workers could be seen nailing up wooden boards to cover broken windows in the front portion of the home's second floor. Others were removing items from the home, where there appeared to be minimal damage on the first floor.

From time to time, curious onlookers, who were driving by, would slow down to look at the home. One resident, who asked her last name not be used, said while she didn't know the victim, she still felt deep pain about the community's loss.

"I didn't know her at all, but I wanted to come by to pay respects," the woman said. "In a small community like this one, when one person suffers, we all suffer. This is a terrible tragedy."

Loriquet says an autopsy is pending to determine the precise cause of Ms. Lee's death.

Burglary reported on Cathedral Avenue in Nutley

A Cathedral Avenue resident reported that a burglar(s) had broken into his home sometime during the past few weeks when he was away.

The burglar(s) apparently took a ladder from the backyard of his home and used it to climb up on to the garage roof. Once on the roof, the burglar(s) cut a second-floor window screen and entered the house.

Several items were stolen.

Police request that all residents secure anything burglars could use to climb on to roofs. We have had incidents with burglars using picnic tables, grills and other items as means for climbing on to roofs. Also, make sure all windows on all floors are locked.

Because many residents will be away this weekend, police will be increasing patrols. Neighbors are asked to contact police if suspicious activity is observed.

34-year-old woman dies in Nutley fire

A 34-year-old Nutley woman died in a fire early this morning, Detective Lt. Steven L. Rogers said.

Rogers says police here received a 9-1-1 call about a fire at 276 Harrison St. Both police and fire responded to the scene, and when they did, they found the woman, whose name has not yet been released, dead.

Though the Essex County Prosecutor's Office's Arson Squad is investigating the fire, Rogers says he believes there is no reason to believe anything suspicious led to the fire or the victim's unfortunate death.

We'll have more as this story continues to develop.

Nutley police capture Alberti

Nutley police today announced they've captured Mario Alberti, 47, of Nutley, a man for whom an arrest warrant had been issued.

Alberti is alleged to have beaten up one of his employees after he kicked down the front door of the victim’s home, only to attack the man and rob him of nearly $200. The victim is 70, and police say he may lose vision in one eye.

A motive is still not clear, according to police.

Nutley police issue warrant for thug alleged to have beaten up his employee

The Nutley Police Department needs your help finding an at-large man who has been charged with aggravated assault, making terroristic threats and robbery against his one of his employees.

Police have issued an arrest warrant for Mario Alberti, 47, of Nutley, who is alleged to have kicked down the front door of the victim’s home, only to attack the man and rob him of nearly $200. Police say the victim works for Alberti.

The victim, 70, who drove himself to Clara Maass Hospital, suffered fractures to his face, lacerated corneas in both eyes — and may lose eyesight in one of his eyes.

Rogers says detectives are trying to piece together a motive as to why Alberti would have attacked the victim.

Police encourage any resident who may know of Alberti’s whereabouts to immediately contact the Nutley police Detective Bureau at 973-284-4940. Rogers says that since there is a warrant out for Alberti’s arrest, residents should not attempt to get involved with his apprehension, other than to call police.

Nutley police issue neighborhood crime alert

Nutley Police Department Alert

NUTLEY — A Regents Drive resident has told police an unidentified man came to her door May 16 at around 7 p.m., and a 7-year-old boy answered it.

A white man, age 30-40, wearing a white shirt and black slacks asked the child if his parents were home. The child told the man they were not home, but would be home from work at 8 p.m. The man then left the area and returned at 8 p.m.

When he spoke to the child’s mother (who was now home), he inquired about her alarm system, claiming it was faulty. He had no identification and/or a company name to offer the resident.

After he left, she called police. The suspect was not located.

Police are asking parents to urge their children not to open doors to anyone without a parent being present. If anyone has had a similar incident, immediately contact Detective Lt. Steven Rogers, of the Nutley Police Department's Detective Bureau, at 973-284-4940.