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Westwood Police Department

Paterson Drug Dealer Charged In OD Death Of Westwood Victim, 38, Prosecutor Says Paterson Drug Dealer Charged In OD Death Of Westwood Victim, 38, Prosecutor Says
Paterson Drug Dealer Charged In OD Death Of Westwood Victim, 38, Prosecutor Says A 39-year-old Paterson man has been charged with providing the drugs that allegedly resulted in a fatal overdose of a Westwood man in May, authorities said. Jesus A. Cantillo is believed to have provided the drugs that led to the death of 38-year-old Lance Kerness, of Westwood, who was found unresponsive in a home on May 2, 2024, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said on Friday, June 28. Kerness was pronounced dead at the scene, Musella said. Indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted, and detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotic Task Force were no…
Loaded Gun Lost In Target, Ex-Con Owner Jailed: Closter PD Loaded Gun Lost In Target, Ex-Con Owner Jailed: Closter PD
Loaded Gun Lost In Target, Ex-Con Owner Jailed: Closter PD It’s not every day that a loaded gun turns up in the lost and found at Target. Surveillance video helped point Closter police to Tyshawn Culver, a 31-year-old convicted burglar from Westwood, soon after the gun was found on Tuesday, Oct. 24, Capt. Vincent Aiello said. Culver was arrested later that day in Englewood, the captain said. He was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possessing a handgun as a convicted felon and possession of both a large-capacity ammo magazine and hollow-nose bullets, Aiello said. Culver remained held Wednesday in the Bergen County Jail pending a firs…
'Splat Gun' TikTok Challenge That Mimics Drive-By Shootings Sweeping Nation 'Splat Gun' TikTok Challenge That Mimics Drive-By Shootings Sweeping Nation
'Splat Gun' TikTok Challenge That Mimics Drive-By Shootings Sweeping Nation A national TikTok trend that mimics drive-by shootings with plastic toys is sweeping the nation. The "Splat Gun" or "Orbeez" challenge uses Orbeez water gel beads as ammunition.  While the beads do not cause any harm, they can cause injury or damage when fired out of the gun.  WARNING: the below video may contain offensive language  On behalf of Chief Michael R. Pontillo and all the members of the Westwood Police Department, we would like to make the... Posted by Westwood Police Department on Monday, March 21, 2022 “This specific Tik-ToK challenge has the potential to be very dangerou…
Emerson Driver Rescued By Westwood Officer In Pool Plunge Gets Careless Driving Summons Emerson Driver Rescued By Westwood Officer In Pool Plunge Gets Careless Driving Summons
Emerson Driver Rescued By Westwood Officer In Pool Plunge Gets Careless Driving Summons UPDATE: A motorist who was rescued by a Westwood police officer after her wagon crashed into a backyard swimming pool received a summons for careless driving. The 32-year-old Emerson driver, who wasn't identified by name, was headed south on Lafayette Avenue when her 2021 Honda wagon crossed over the center line as it rounded the bend at Ridgewood Road around 3 a.m. Monday, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said Thursday. The Honda hit a curb, then crashed through a fence, a shed and another fence before barreling down a small retaining wall, onto the pool deck and into the in-ground pool on …
HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool
Hero: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool UPDATE: A driver who was rescued by a Westwood police officer after her wagon crashed into a backyard swimming pool received a summons for careless driving, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said Thursday. The 32-year-old Emerson driver, whom he didn’t identify by name, was headed south on Lafayette Avenue when her 2021 Honda wagon crossed over the center line as it rounded the bend at Ridgewood Road around 3 a.m. Monday, Pontillo said. The Honda hit a curb, then crashed through a fence, a shed and another fence before barreling down a small retaining wall, onto the pool deck and into the…
HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool HERO: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool
Hero: Westwood Officer Rescues Emerson Driver After Car Plunges Into Backyard Pool UPDATE: A driver who was rescued by a Westwood police officer after her wagon crashed into a backyard swimming pool received a summons for careless driving, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said Thursday. The 32-year-old Emerson driver, whom he didn’t identify by name, was headed south on Lafayette Avenue when her 2021 Honda wagon crossed over the center line as it rounded the bend at Ridgewood Road around 3 a.m. Monday, Pontillo said. The Honda hit a curb, then crashed through a fence, a shed and another fence before barreling down a small retaining wall, onto the pool deck and into the…
Bergen Sheriff's Task Force Rounds Up 8 Defendants Who Skipped Court Bergen Sheriff's Task Force Rounds Up 8 Defendants Who Skipped Court
Bergen Sheriff's Task Force Rounds Up 8 Defendants Who Skipped Court A Fugitive Task Force assembled by Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton snatched up eight people wanted on warrants in one morning. Tuesday morning’s operation “included participation from 18 different agencies and resulted in multiple leads,” Cureton said Wednesday. All eight defendants taken into custody had skipped court appearances, he said. Adrian Gierek, 24, Oakland: burglary; Luz Lozada, 24, Lodi: accomplice liability; Joseph Crawford, 32, Hawthorne: burglary; Whelan Rapaikari, 26, Fort Lee: trespassing; Darrell Davis,36, Hackensack: drug dealing; Kristian Salmeron, 37, Garfield: …
SEEN IT? Suspected Car ID'd After Windows Smashed, Belongings Stolen At Westwood Charity Event SEEN IT? Suspected Car ID'd After Windows Smashed, Belongings Stolen At Westwood Charity Event
Seen IT? Suspected Car ID'd After Windows Smashed, Belongings Stolen At Westwood Charity Event Westwood police released a photo of a sedan that they believe may have been involved in a mini-burglary spree that left the windows of three vehicles smashed and valuables stolen during a weekend charity event. Three vehicles had their windows smashed and valuables taken during Sunday’s Berkeley School Charity Walk-A-Thon at Westvale Park, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said. The break-ins occurred between 1:21 p.m. and 1:31 p.m. -- 10 minutes, the chief said. The suspected vehicle -- possibly a four-door black Volkswagen Jetta or Passat -- pulled into a parking spot, then left a short tim…
Join Westwood Police For Pre-Snow Bowl Special Olympics Fundraising Dinner Join Westwood Police For Pre-Snow Bowl Special Olympics Fundraising Dinner
Join Westwood Police For Pre-Snow Bowl Special Olympics Fundraising Dinner An exclusive four-course, prix fixe dinner at Westwood’s popular Caffe Anello next week will help raise funds for Special Olympics New Jersey. Members of the Westwood Police Department and PBA Local #206 who will be participating in this year’s Snow Bowl at MetLife Stadium (March 15) are hosting the event. It begins Monday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $75 each. Space is limited. DONATIONS also can be made to the non-profit Westwood Police Officers Association. Since its inception, the Snow Bowl has raised more than $2 million that has gone to help more than 25,000 special needs athlet…
HEROES: Westwood Officers, Off-Duty State Police Major Rescue Choking Diner Patron HEROES: Westwood Officers, Off-Duty State Police Major Rescue Choking Diner Patron
Heroes: Westwood Officers, Off-Duty State Police Major Rescue Choking Diner Patron A Westwood diner patron was turning blue and not breathing after a piece of food got lodged in his throat on New Year’s Day. Off-duty New Jersey State Police Major Michael Rinaldi was rendering aid when Westwood Police Officers Greg Dorfman and Stephanie Laurent arrived at the Westwood Diner & Pancake House on Old Hook Road around 1:50 p.m. Tuesday. Rinaldi and the officers used the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the food, then did chest compressions to revive him, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said. Members of the Westwood Volunteer Ambulance Squad them took the man across the street …
Prosecutor: Westwood Officer Fired Shot After Accused Old Tappan Burglar Refused To Drop Weapon Prosecutor: Westwood Officer Fired Shot After Accused Old Tappan Burglar Refused To Drop Weapon
Prosecutor: Westwood Officer Fired Shot After Accused Old Tappan Burglar Refused To Drop Weapon UPDATE: A Westwood police officer fired a single shot during an overnight confrontation with a man who refused to drop a weapon moments after he tried to break into an Old Tappan residence, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo said Monday. Dustin Van Riper, 22, fled the Old Tappan residence after borough police arrived there before dawn Friday, Calo said. Westwood police found him a short time later in a Mill Street backyard, he said. When officers from the Westwood Police Department approached Van Riper, "he disregarded their instructions to drop the weapon," the prosecutor said. …
Westwood PD: Hit-Run Driver Found Block Away Westwood PD: Hit-Run Driver Found Block Away
Westwood PD: Hit-Run Driver Found Block Away A hit-and-run driver made it a block before Westwood police found her Tuesday morning in the parking lot of a nearby CVS, authorities said. She complained of not feeling well and was taken to a nearby hospital, as was the other driver, who complained of neck pain, Police Chief Michael Pontillo said The crash occurred on Broadway by the Rolling Pin Cafe. Alerted by a passerby, police found the other driver had turned the corner and pulled into the rear lot at the CVS, nearly 100 yards away. An investigation was continuing.
Westwood Police Donate Senior Van To Borough Westwood Police Donate Senior Van To Borough
Westwood Police Donate Senior Van To Borough You can’t see it just yet -- only a few more weeks to go -- but Westwood Police Chief Michael Pontillo suspects residents and business owners will be pleased with the borough's new senior van. The Westwood Police Officers Association picked up the cost of the van, “a great savings to taxpayers,” the chief said. It all began with a pedestrian safety campaign by Pontillo’s department that expanded to “enhance the safety of all people of this community,” the chief said. The vehicle was obtained “with the intention of a light cleanup, wrapping it to make an attractive outer appearance and publ…
VIDEO/PHOTOS: 'Best Day Ever' For 6-Year-Old Emerson 'Chief For a Day' VIDEO/PHOTOS: 'Best Day Ever' For 6-Year-Old Emerson 'Chief For a Day'
Video/Photos: 'Best Day Ever' For 6-Year-Old Emerson 'Chief For a Day' A local youngster got the special honor of being Emerson’s “Chief for a Day” on Thursday. Joseph Cottone – the son of a Westwood police officer -- was selected during a borough PTA tricky tray event earlier this year. Joey, 6, got the full treatment, complete with a police escort from his home. Emerson Councilman Brian Downing swore in Joey, who did a uniform inspection of the officers and was given a tour of headquarters, vehicles and equipment – followed by a pizza lunch. To top his day, Joey was taken to Tons of Toys on Westwood Avenue, where he picked out a New York Jets helmet as a p…
Westwood Police Chase End With Crash, Paramus Arrest Of Teaneck Driver Westwood Police Chase End With Crash, Paramus Arrest Of Teaneck Driver
Westwood Police Chase End With Crash, Paramus Arrest Of Teaneck Driver A 26-year-old Teaneck man led police on a chase from Westwood to Paramus -- exceeding 100 mph and one point and nearly ramming a police cruiser -- before he crashed and was taken into custody, authorities said. Westwood Police Chief Michael Pontillo said his department got a 911 call around 11:50 p.m. Saturday of someone trying door handles trying to get into a residence. David Corredor-Echeverry sped off, with Westwood police in pursuit, Pontillo said. His officers broke off the chase a short time later because of the risk to the public, and Paramus police picked it up, eventually stoppin…
Bergen Prosecutor: 'Helping Hand' Continues To Reach Opioid Addicts Bergen Prosecutor: 'Helping Hand' Continues To Reach Opioid Addicts
Bergen Prosecutor: 'Helping Hand' Continues To Reach Opioid Addicts HACKENSACK, N.J. – More than three dozen heroin users arrested in Bergen County over a four-day period got more than summonses to appear in court: They were each also offered the opportunity to connect with a recovering addict who could one day help save his or her life. Of the 37 users given the chance, 19 of those charged with heroin agreed to work with a “recovery specialist” -- – a recovering addict who has remained clean and knows how to help them find treatment, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo said. A dozen of them completed 5-day detox and had long-term treatment options …
Westwood Pedestrian, 79, Struck By Car Driven By Midland Park Woman, 76 Westwood Pedestrian, 79, Struck By Car Driven By Midland Park Woman, 76
Westwood Pedestrian, 79, Struck By Car Driven By Midland Park Woman, 76 WESTWOOD, N.J. – A 79-year-old pedestrian was struck by a car driven by a 76-year-old woman in Westwood on Wednesday. The Westwood woman was crossing Kinderkamack Road just after noon when she was struck by a vehicle driven by a Midland Park motorist who turned left from Irvington Street to head north and passed over the southbound center line, said Lt. Matthew McClutchy, the officer in charge of the department. The victim was knocked to the ground, sustaining undetermined injuries to her lower body, he said. She was taken to The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, McClutchy said. The driver, m…
Military Vets, Borough Natives Sworn Into Paramus Police Department Military Vets, Borough Natives Sworn Into Paramus Police Department
Military Vets, Borough Natives Sworn Into Paramus Police Department PARAMUS, N.J. -- The Paramus Police Department swore in five new officers on Tuesday evening's council meeting. "Over past seven years, I have been working diligently to rebuild the depleted ranks of our police department from historical lows," Mayor Rich LaBarbiera said.  "Last night was another step in that direction with the addition of five outstanding police officers to what I consider one of  if not the best departments in the county.  "All have tremendous experience to include military and firefighting. I would be remiss if did not again thank Rep. Josh Gottheime…