Woman in a Stolen Car Arrested in Front of a Funeral Home 1 Month Before her Death

Around 12:22 PM on April 20, 2024, Sergeant Dean Fusco with the North Haledon Police Department observed 2021 Jeep Cherokee traveling northbound on High Mountain Road. As the driver continued past him, his ALPR system alerted him to a stolen vehicle. He activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, and the driver pulled over in the parking lot of the Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Funeral Home at 530 High Mountain Road in the neighboring town of Franklin Lakes.

He exited his patrol car and made contact with the driver of the Jeep, who was later identified as Victoria Waltman. Her rear seat passenger was later identified as Thomas Tayburn. When Victoria was altered that the vehicle she was driving had been reported as stolen, she told the officer that she was “borrowing” the vehicle from a girl that she met in rehab. After Officer Janti Janouk arrived on scene to assist, Victoria was placed under arrest. A search of her vehicle revealed the presence of contraband, so her passenger was also placed under arrest.

Based on their suspicions, Sergeant Keith Heyman with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene with his K-9 to assist in searching the vehicle further. Additional needles and empty glassine folds were discovered as the vehicle was searched more comprehensively. Following the search, the vehicle was impounded by J&M Towing at the request of the State Police.

Both Victoria and Thomas were transported to the North Haledon Police Department for further processing.

Thomas was charged with the following:

-Possession (2C:36-3)

-Possession of prescription (2C:35-10A(2))

-Receiving stolen property (2C:20-7A)

-Unlawful taking means of conveyance (2C:20-10B)

On October 22, 2024, Thomas pleaded guilty to possession of prescription (2C:35-10A(2)) while his charge of unlawful taking means of conveyance (2C:20-10B) was downgraded to disorderly conduct (2C:33-2A(2) ). The other 2 charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. As a result of his 2 guilty pleas, Thomas had to pay a total of $1,166 in fines.

Victoria was charged with the following:

-Possession (2C:36-3)

-Possession of prescription (2C:35-10A(2))

-Receiving stolen property (2C:20-7A)

-Unlawful taking means of conveyance (2C:20-10B)

-Driving without a license (39:3-10)

-No liability insurance coverage on motor vehicle (39:6B-2)

The following month, Victoria died “suddenly” on May 23, 2024. Following her death, her charges in the North Haledon Municipal Court were dismissed on July 2, 2024. In addition to this arrest in North Haledon, Victoria had multiple prior arrests. She was arrested for allegedly shoplifting in Newton, NJ on February 14, 2024 and May 17, 2024. Another arrest involving her was for simple assault (2C:12-1A(1)) in Vernon Township, NJ on February 27, 2024.

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