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Crime Prevention

Police & Fire
Attempted Burglary Prompts Warning From Police In Bergen County Town Attempted Burglary Prompts Warning From Police In Bergen County Town
Attempted Burglary Prompts Warning From Police In Bergen County Town Police are urging residents in Washington Township (Bergen County) to stay vigilant following an attempted burglary on the west side of town, officials said. The incident occurred around 8:47 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, when patrol units were dispatched to a home after the homeowner reported suspicious activity captured on their security camera system, police said in a news release.  Home surveillance footage showed one individual appearing to prepare to enter the home. Responding officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Police released an image of the …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Shot Fired By Clifton Homeowner Scares Off Overnight Car Thieves Shot Fired By Clifton Homeowner Scares Off Overnight Car Thieves
Shot Fired By Clifton Homeowner Scares Off Overnight Car Thieves An armed Clifton homeowner confronted and apparently scared off a group of vehicle thieves by firing a gunshot into the air, authorities said. At least four bandits approached the Robin Hood Road home in the city's Montclair Heights section shortly after 3:15 a.m. Thursday, June 13, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. "Although we can confirm that entry was not made into the home, the details of how the crime unfolded are still under investigation," the lieutenant said. "However, at some point during the incident, an altercation took place between the homeowner and the suspects which result…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
GOTCHA! Bicycle-Riding Burglar From Passaic, 30, Captured By Hasbrouck Heights Officers: PD GOTCHA! Bicycle-Riding Burglar From Passaic, 30, Captured By Hasbrouck Heights Officers: PD
Gotcha! Bicycle-Riding Burglar From Passaic, 30, Captured By Hasbrouck Heights Officers: PD A 30-year-old repeat offender from Passaic known for getting around on a bicycle tried to run but was caught by Hasbrouck Heights police who authorities said chased him down before dawn Saturday. A concerned citizen's call about a car burglar brought officers to the area of Hamilton Avenue and the Boulevard around 2 a.m., May 25, Lt. John Behr said. Hector J. Torres-Duran tried to flee Officers Joseph Armeli and Kevin Condal but crashed the bike and took off on foot in the parking lots behind Boulevard businesses, the lieutenant said. "He was eventually cornered and found hiding behind a D…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Rochelle Park Stop: Trio From Hackensack, Bergenfield Seized With Drugs, Loaded Gun, Police Say Rochelle Park Stop: Trio From Hackensack, Bergenfield Seized With Drugs, Loaded Gun, Police Say
Rochelle Park Stop: Trio From Hackensack, Bergenfield Seized With Drugs, Loaded Gun, Police Say Two Bergenfield men and a driver from Hackensack were jailed after a Rochelle Park police officer stopped their sedan and found a loaded gun, ammo and prescription pills, authorities said. Officer Chris Kiszka pulled the Honda Accord over on Essex Street around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, July 13, Capt. James M. DePreta said. A consented search turned up the 9mm Taurus handgun, seven rounds of .40-caliber ammunition -- including hollow points -- along with small amounts of heroin, oxycodone and suboxone, the captain said. Arrested were the driver, Thomas Cabrera, 26, of Hackensack -- who was want…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Commuters, Others Warm Up With Port Authority Police At 'Coffee With A Cop' Commuters, Others Warm Up With Port Authority Police At 'Coffee With A Cop'
Commuters, Others Warm Up With Port Authority Police At 'Coffee With A Cop' Lines were long at Newark Airport one recent morning, but not for the usual reason. Port Authority police put a twist on the "Coffee With a Cop" initiative by taking java and donuts directly to the public. Instead of meeting with community members at a local coffee shop, the PAPD fanned out to the area transportation hubs that the men and women in blue protect. Port Authority police "Coffee With A Cop" at Newark International Airport.PORT AUTHORITY PD Sweetening the morning Joe were safety and crime prevention tips and other information provided by PAPD command members at: Newark, JF…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Taxi Traffic Stop Leads To Capture Of Wanted Man With Loaded Gun In Passaic County Taxi Traffic Stop Leads To Capture Of Wanted Man With Loaded Gun In Passaic County
Taxi Traffic Stop Leads To Capture Of Wanted Man With Loaded Gun In Passaic County A passenger in a taxi cab stopped for a traffic violation wasn't only wanted out of Pennsylvania -- he was also carrying a loaded gun, police in Haledon said. Officer Jeffrey Welsh and Kris Duci stopped the Paterson cab after the driver failed to signal a turn at the intersection of West Broadway and Chamberlain Avenue shortly after noon Wednesday, Sept. 21, Capt. George Guzman Jr. said. The officers immediately noticed that the rear-seat passenger -- identified in records as Miguel Ortiz, a 23-year-old Dominican national from Paterson -- wasn't wearing a seatbelt, the captain said. The of…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Palisades Park Police Nab Overnight Vehicle Burglar Thanks To Resident's Quick Call Palisades Park Police Nab Overnight Vehicle Burglar Thanks To Resident's Quick Call
Palisades Park Police Nab Overnight Vehicle Burglar Thanks To Resident's Quick Call Palisades Park police said they nabbed a vehicle burglar from the borough early Thursday thanks to a resident’s quick call. Angel Soler, 34, turned out to be wanted on an outstanding warrant, as well, said Capt. Shawn Lee, the officer in charge of the department. The 12:10 a.m. call immediately brought Sgt. Chris Sambogna and Officers Rory Tennant, Ho Chan Choi. William Duarte and Christian Sisco to West Oakdene Avenue, the captain said. After reviewing the owner's surveillance video, they flooded the area and quickly seized Soler on Grand Avenue.  Soler has a rap sheet filled with m…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
Legendary Rockland Police Chief Who Captured Three Brinks Murderers Dies Legendary Rockland Police Chief Who Captured Three Brinks Murderers Dies
Legendary Rockland Police Chief Who Captured Three Brinks Murderers Dies TRIBUTE: When they consider true heroes, crimefighters in North Jersey invariably include a lawman from just across the state line who single-handedly captured a trio of self-proclaimed revolutionaries after they killed two police officers and a guard following a $1.6 million armored car robbery. Alan Colsey, who died Wednesday at 69, had an impressive law enforcement career. He helped Rockland law enforcement computerize police records, get mobile data terminals in patrol cars and establish a radio system for first responders. Yet it was the Nyack native’s heroism on Oct. 20, 1981 tha…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Authorities: Newark Men Who Robbed Internet Dirt Bike Sellers At Gunpoint Busted With Heroin Authorities: Newark Men Who Robbed Internet Dirt Bike Sellers At Gunpoint Busted With Heroin
Authorities: Newark Men Who Robbed Internet Dirt Bike Sellers At Gunpoint Busted With Heroin Three Newark men and a teen who robbed sellers they met online at gunpoint were busted with heroin by police arresting them, authorities said Friday. Najee Carney, 19, Christian Carnegie, 19, Al-Tamir Mayweathers, 18, and a 15-year old boy agreed to purchase merchandise from someone they met online last month, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said. Carney, Carnegie, Mayweathers and the teen robbed the victims at gunpoint, once on Sept. 10 and again on Sept. 29, Ambrose said. In at least one of the incidents, the men robbed the victims of dirt bikes, Ambrose said. …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Paterson PD: Detectives Chase Down Gunmen At Housing Complex Notorious For Drugs, Violence Paterson PD: Detectives Chase Down Gunmen At Housing Complex Notorious For Drugs, Violence
Paterson PD: Detectives Chase Down Gunmen At Housing Complex Notorious For Drugs, Violence Paterson detectives captured two men with guns following a predawn foot chase in one of the city’s deadliest neighborhoods, authorities said. That makes 25 weapons seized by the department in just the past month, during a time when three victims were killed by gunfire in less than two weeks. Street Crime Detectives Yamil Pimienta, John Traynor, Mustafa Dombayci and Mohammad Bashir found 100 or so people drinking and playing loud music in the area of Carroll and Governor Streets around 1 a.m. A man in the group handed a gun to another man who then put it into a bag as both bolted into the …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
NJ Drug Bust: Seven Guns, 23 Arrests, Heroin, Coke, Pot, $360,000 Cash NJ Drug Bust: Seven Guns, 23 Arrests, Heroin, Coke, Pot, $360,000 Cash
NJ Drug Bust: Seven Guns, 23 Arrests, Heroin, Coke, Pot, $360,000 Cash Crime fighters seized seven handguns, more than two pounds of heroin, a pound or so of cocaine and $360,000 in drug money while arresting 23 people in Hudson and Union counties, authorities said Wednesday. More than 200 law enforcement officers executed search warrants of residence and vehicles in Roselle Park, Elizabeth and Jersey City, where the seven handguns were seized at 2 a.m., Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. They also seized prescription Xanax and Oxycontin pills, hollow-point bullets, a bulletproof vest, extended/prohibited magazines, handcuffs, firearm holsters a…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Prison Time Added For Hunterdon Man Who Pressed Victim's Mom To Drop Child Sex Assault Charges Prison Time Added For Hunterdon Man Who Pressed Victim's Mom To Drop Child Sex Assault Charges
Prison Time Added For Hunterdon Man Who Pressed Victim's Mom To Drop Child Sex Assault Charges A Hunterdon County man who admitted sexually assaulting a pre-teen had prison time added to his sentence for trying to convince the victim's mother to drop the charges, authorities said. Carlos Zacarias, 51, of Flemington received a 10-year state prison sentence last Friday in exchange for a guilty plea last September to sexually assaulting a minor, Hunterdon County Acting Prosecutor Michael J. Williams said. Superior Court Judge Angela Borkowski tacked on 18 months for contempt of court, Williams said. Zacarias was arrested in June 2018 following a joint investigation by the Hunterdo…

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by Valerie Musson
Police & Fire
Passaic Police Captain Selected For Prestigious FBI Training Passaic Police Captain Selected For Prestigious FBI Training
Passaic Police Captain Selected For Prestigious FBI Training A Passaic police captain will soon begin a prestigious FBI training class. Capt. Gabriel Guzman is the city’s first police officer in 20 years to be accepted into the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA, Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said. Less than one-half of 1% of police officers worldwide are ever invited to the specialized 10-week program, which is designed to enhance the physical and mental capabilities of ranking officers. Participation is by invitation-only and is awarded through a nomination process. Courses included law, behavioral science, forensic science, terrorism, leadership de…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
CRIME SPREE: Three Vehicles Stolen, Seven Burglarized Overnight In Saddle Brook -- All Unlocked CRIME SPREE: Three Vehicles Stolen, Seven Burglarized Overnight In Saddle Brook -- All Unlocked
Crime Spree: Three Vehicles Stolen, Seven Burglarized Overnight In Saddle Brook -- All Unlocked Nocturnal thieves stole three vehicles and burglarized seven others before dawn Wednesday in Saddle Brook. And once again, a North Jersey law enforcement official – this time Saddle Brook Robert Kugler – is urging owners to lock their vehicles and not become a victim. The crime spree occurred on two streets in the early-morning hours, Kugler said. “These hoodlums look for easy prey -- and, unfortunately, found some here in Saddle Brook,” the chief said. It’s happening everywhere: After being dropped off, packs of thieves prowl dark North Jersey neighborhoods while most vehicle owners are …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Rapping Sheriff’s Officer Brings Show To Bergen National Nights Out Rapping Sheriff’s Officer Brings Show To Bergen National Nights Out
Rapping Sheriff’s Officer Brings Show To Bergen National Nights Out A video-rapping Hudson County sheriff’s officer who uses music to build relationships with community youngsters is booked at two Bergen County National Night Out events on Tuesday, in Fairview and Garfield. Officer Daniel Rivera – better known as “Bookem” – has been mentoring inner-city youth for five years. He’s produced several videos in the past year aimed at bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community -- among them, “Good Cop.” WATCH BELOW: “Good Cop” (Bookem) "Good CopTEAM BOOKEM Earlier this year, Rivera collaborated on a video with a student from Lincoln High Sc…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
When Will Owners Learn? Overnight Tenafly Vehicle Thefts Continue When Will Owners Learn? Overnight Tenafly Vehicle Thefts Continue
When Will Owners Learn? Overnight Tenafly Vehicle Thefts Continue Nocturnal thieves stole two cars and several burglarized several others in a 72-hour spree in Tenafly, prompting police to urge motorists yet again to lock their vehicles and take their key fobs every time they park. It’s happening everywhere: Bandits prowl North Jersey neighborhoods overnight, when most vehicle owners are sleeping, and test door handles. If a vehicle is locked, they keep moving. If it’s not, they get to work. In rapid succession in Tenafly: A 2017 Lexus sedan was stolen from an Oak Street resident’s driveway; An unlocked 2012 Infiniti sedan was stolen from a Woodlan…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Police: Boxed-In SUV No Problem For Glen Rock Thief Who Drives It Across Owner's Lawn Police: Boxed-In SUV No Problem For Glen Rock Thief Who Drives It Across Owner's Lawn
Police: Boxed-In SUV No Problem For Glen Rock Thief Who Drives It Across Owner's Lawn Boxing his unlocked SUV in with his wife’s car didn’t help a Glen Rock owner: A thief simply drove it across the front lawn, authorities said. The Central Avenue resident said he parked his Audi Q5 in the driveway with the key fob still inside Saturday night, Lt. Frank Riggo said. His wife later pulled her car in behind it, he said. When the owner woke up the next morning, the Audi was gone. Riggio reminded residents and merchants to lock their cars and never leave the key fobs or valuables inside.

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
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…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
VIDEO: See Car Burglars, Thieves At Work In Your Neighborhood In Bergen Prosecutor's Warning VIDEO: See Car Burglars, Thieves At Work In Your Neighborhood In Bergen Prosecutor's Warning
Video: See Car Burglars, Thieves At Work In Your Neighborhood In Bergen Prosecutor's Warning Car thieves and burglars can be seen at work in residents’ driveways in a video produced by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office as a warning to owners to not become a victim. “In the past few months, Bergen County has seen an increase in the theft of cars and cars being stolen,” Chief of Detectives Robert Anzilotti says in the video. “This is occurring in all areas of the county.” Thieves are “roaming quiet neighborhood overnight, coming onto your property and pulling on car door handles,” the chief said. Sometimes they already know whether or not a door will open: A telltale signal on l…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
'Tis the Season For Porch Piracy, So Don't Be A Victim 'Tis the Season For Porch Piracy, So Don't Be A Victim
'Tis the Season For Porch Piracy, So Don't Be A Victim Porch piracy has become more rampant than ever, now that more than half of holiday season shoppers buy online. Not only that: Tens of millions of people each year have holiday decorations stolen. Yes, there are organized crews who follow delivery drivers and others who case specific neighborhoods, police say. But "it is most often a crime of convenience," Monica Eaton-Cardone, co-founder and COO of the risk-mitigation firm Chargebacks911, told InsuranceQuotes.com. "The thief sees a package sitting unattended and simply grabs it.” Nearly 26 million Americans had a holiday pac…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Saddle Brook Police Tell Residents, Merchants: Lock Your Vehicles, Take Your Fobs Saddle Brook Police Tell Residents, Merchants: Lock Your Vehicles, Take Your Fobs
Saddle Brook Police Tell Residents, Merchants: Lock Your Vehicles, Take Your Fobs Saddle Brook police urged citizens Tuesday to lock their cars and report any suspicious activity following another wave of vehicle burglaries and thefts. “Attempts are made to open unlocked vehicle doors,” Detective Capt. Zotollo said. “If the doors are unlocked, the vehicle is entered and spare change or anything of value is taken.” Two vehicles were stolen after the owners left the key fobs inside, the captain said. “These incidents do not appear to be confined to any specific area,” he added. Detectives are reviewing surveillance video and processing other evidence, Zotollo said. Mean…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Thief Diverts Attention Of Clifton Homeowner, 87, While Accomplice Steals Cash, Jewelry Thief Diverts Attention Of Clifton Homeowner, 87, While Accomplice Steals Cash, Jewelry
Thief Diverts Attention Of Clifton Homeowner, 87, While Accomplice Steals Cash, Jewelry A thief posing as a utility worker kept an 87-year-old Clifton woman occupied while an accomplice stole jewelry and several thousand dollars in cash from her bedroom, authorities said. The thief knocked on the woman’s door around 4 p.m. Saturday, identified himself as a PSE&G employee and displayed a medal badge and a photo identification card, the victim told police. He then “indicated that he was in the area checking the water supply due to recent flooding and asked permission to enter the residence, to which the victim consented,” Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. The woman eventua…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Northern Valley: Three Vehicles Stolen With Fobs Inside, 4 Others Spared Northern Valley: Three Vehicles Stolen With Fobs Inside, 4 Others Spared
Northern Valley: Three Vehicles Stolen With Fobs Inside, 4 Others Spared HARRINGTON PARK, N.J. – Three vehicles that were stolen from separate driveways in Harrington Park this weekend all had the key fobs inside -- the apparent work of an organized crew that's been victimizing the Northern Valley, authorities said. Five other vehicles in Harrington Park were broken into, Police Chief Albert Maalouf said. “However, due to the unavailability of key fobs [in those four], the vehicles were not stolen,” he said. The incidents all occurred within several blocks of Lafayette Road bordered in the map above. The chief asked that homeowners with security cameras within…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
VIDEO: Glen Rock Resident Foils Car Burglars With Simple Move: Common Sense VIDEO: Glen Rock Resident Foils Car Burglars With Simple Move: Common Sense
Video: Glen Rock Resident Foils Car Burglars With Simple Move: Common Sense GLEN ROCK, N.J. -- A Glen Rock resident didn't become a victim after making sure he locked the cars in his driveway, authorities said. Video recorded by a Ring doorbell camera, and supplied by Glen Rock police, shows two shadowy figures in the Hudson Place driveway just before 4:30 a.m. last Wednesday. The pair "pulled on the door handles to his vehicles," Police Chief Dean Ackermann said. "Discovering that the vehicles were locked, they left the area. "No damage or theft occurred." The video "is not sufficient to make an ID," but the incident served as …

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by Jerry DeMarco