By: Richard L. Smith
Wayne police arrested a township resident after an investigation revealed that a bullet fired from his home struck a neighbor’s central air conditioning system.
According to a statement released by Wayne Police, officers were called to a residence on Longwood Court on October 27, 2025, around 5:39 p.m., after a resident and HVAC technicians discovered a bullet embedded in the condenser unit outside the home.
Officer Jonathon Giannotte responded to the scene, where detectives Mark Ciavirella and Nick Henriquez joined the investigation.
The Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit was brought in and conducted a gunshot trajectory analysis, which determined the round originated from the basement window of the neighboring house.
Detectives said the neighbor, identified as 58-year-old Walter P. Preiss, had a history of disputes with residents in the area.
When initially questioned, Preiss denied having firearms.
However, a subsequent search of his home uncovered several long guns and evidence that a weapon had recently been fired from the basement window.
Preiss was arrested and charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Criminal Mischief.
He was processed on a complaint warrant and transported to the Passaic County Jail Intake Hub, where he awaits a detention hearing.