PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police, Morris Township Police, Mount Tabor Fire Department, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Morris Fire Department, along with Morris Minutemen First Aid Squad responded to the area of 500 West Hanover Avenue for a hit and run motor vehicle crash with injuries at 11:00 p.m. on January 10.

The vehicle that was crashed into was a 2011 Honda CRV occupied by three people. While the victims were being tended to for their injuries, Officers were able to obtain a description of the vehicle that fled. Shortly after arriving on scene, officers were advised of a second motor vehicle crash approximately a quarterly mile away on North Star Drive in Morris Township that officers from Randolph Township and Morris Township were currently investigating.

After a brief investigation it was determined that the vehicle, a 2014 Acura RDX, that caused the crash and fled was the same vehicle involved in the single vehicle motor vehicle crash in Morris Township. Neel Patel, 36, Morristown, was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated.

Upon arriving at Parsippany Police Headquarters Mr. Patel was charged via Summons with the following:
Three counts of Assault by Auto with Injury, two counts of Reckless Driving, Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Injuries, and Following too Closely.

Mr. Patel was released on his own recognizance into the custody of a sober adult pending his court appearance.

The three occupants of the Honda were transported to Morristown Medical Center for treatment of their injuries which were described as: The 74 year old male driver of the Honda CRV received multiple internal injuries; The 69 year old female front seat passenger and 42 year old female rear passenger received minor injuries to their heads.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

PARSIPPANY — Officers responded to the Super Foodtown, 435 North Beverwyck Road, for a reported shoplifting at approximately 6:00 p.m. on January 20. Upon arrival of responding officers, they found the suspect, Richard Johnsen, 61, Denville, detained by employees.

After a brief investigation it was determined that while exiting the store, Mr. Johnsen was observed by a witness exit without paying for multiple items in his shopping cart and advised store employees.

When employees attempted to stop Mr. Johnsen in the parking lot he entered a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder and began to back up from the parking spot, even though two other employees were standing behind the vehicle. As he backed up he struck two male employees causing them to fall to the ground, but they were not injured. Mr. Johnsen was then removed from his vehicle by the employees and held until Officers arrived.

Mr. Johnsen was then placed under arrest and transported to Morristown Medical Center for a medical assessment. Once cleared he was transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters and processed.

While at Police Headquarters he was charged on a Summons with the following: Shoplifting and Criminal Mischief Mr. Johnsen was released on his own recognizance pending his court appearance.

Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

PARSIPPANY — On Wednesday, January 11 two residents responded to Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Headquarters to report during the evening of the Tuesday, January 10, unknown suspect(s) cut the catalytic converters from their vehicles.

The first victim’s vehicle, a 2002 Honda Accord, was parked on Lake Shore Drive, Lake Hiawatha.

The second victim’s vehicle, a 2010 Infiniti G37, was parked on Crown Point Road.

On Wednesday, January 18 officers responded to 199 Smith Road and One Hilton Court for theft of motor vehicle parts. Officers found a 2016 Audi S6 that had its tires and rims stolen at 199 Smith Road and a 2017 Chevy Impala at One Hilton Court that had its rims and tires stolen. The thefts occurred between Sunday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 18.

These incidents remain under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARIES
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers responded to One Hilton Court for two attempted motor vehicle burglaries. The 2017 Cadillac Escalade and 2016 Dodge Charger both received damage to their driver’s side door handle area. The attempted burglaries occurred between Tuesday, January 17 and Thursday, January 19.

These incidents remain under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.

PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, January 21 at approximately 8:30 p.m. there was a three car chain reaction accident on Route 46, just east of North Beverwyck Road.

Mr. Shaumik, was driving a 2011 Toyota Corolla and was stopped at the traffic light. Behind his vehicle, Mr. Luisito Bacosa was driving a 2009 BMW 28I and was stopped at the traffic light, when a 2016 Honda Civic driven by Ms. Stefanie Shellhamer crashed into Mr. Bacosa’s vehicle, causing his vehicle to crash into Mr. Shaumik’s vehicle.

Ms. Shellhamer stated to police “she was upset due to an unrelated incident, which caused her to be distracted. She further stated that she observed a green signal at the intersection of Route 46 and North Beverwyck Road but did not observe Mr. Bacosa’s vehicle prior to the crash. Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance arrived on the scene and assessed all parties involved. All occupants of the Shaumik and Bacosa vehicles refused any further medial treatment.

Ms. Shellhamer was treated at the scene and then transported to St. Clare’s Hospital.

Police investigation revealed that Ms. Shellhamer was at fault due to driver inattention and following too close. She was issued a summons for Careless Driving.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Officer Denis DeMuro investigated the accident.

Editors Note: A complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.