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Main Avenue, Clifton, NJ

Police & Fire
UPDATE: Clifton Boy, 13, Hit By Car Remains In Coma UPDATE: Clifton Boy, 13, Hit By Car Remains In Coma
Update: Clifton Boy, 13, Hit By Car Remains In Coma A 13-year-old Clifton boy remained in critical condition after being thrown from his bicycle when he was struck by a vehicle in a city intersection. It was nearly 8:30 p.m. when Aqel Khalifeh headed down Fifth Avenue and was struck at the intersection of West 2nd Street near Main Avenue on Saturday, June 24, Clifton Police Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. "The driver of the vehicle stopped immediately to render aid and police and fire department personnel responded a short time later," the lieutenant said. The eighth-grader at Christopher Columbus Middle School was taken to St. Joseph's…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
GOT 'EM! Teens From Elizabeth Nabbed After Ransacking Vehicles At Clifton Condo Complex GOT 'EM! Teens From Elizabeth Nabbed After Ransacking Vehicles At Clifton Condo Complex
GOT 'EM! Teens From Elizabeth Nabbed After Ransacking Vehicles At Clifton Condo Complex A crew of late-morning teenage car burglars who infiltrated a Clifton condo development were caught in Passaic, authorities said. Officers responding to calls from Evergreen at Clifton at Main Avenue and Felton Boulevard began checking local streets shortly before noon Saturday, May 13, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. Sure enough, they spotted all four black-hooded suspects in the area of Brook and Dakota streets in Passaic. The teens, all from Elizabeth, apparently were carrying valuables stolen from vehicles at Evergreen that had been left unlocked. Jayden Alzate, 19, and three j…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Three-Time North Jersey Bank Robber Convicted Of Cellphone Store Holdup Three-Time North Jersey Bank Robber Convicted Of Cellphone Store Holdup
Three-Time North Jersey Bank Robber Convicted Of Cellphone Store Holdup An ex-con from Essex County who served 13½ years in federal prison for holding up banks in Fair Lawn, Clifton and Belleville within weeks of one another was convicted Monday of robbing an East Orange cellphone store at gunpoint just two months after his release. Kenneth Graham, 50, of Newark, was wearing a black mask and blue jeans when he entered the downtown Boost Mobile store on Central Avenue and announced a robbery in the middle of the afternoon on Jan. 18, 2021, federal prosecutors said. Graham pointed a gun at a store employee, who was ordered to place several cell phones from a dis…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Teen Released After Stealing Running Vehicles Does It Again -- And Again, Clifton Police Charge Teen Released After Stealing Running Vehicles Does It Again -- And Again, Clifton Police Charge
Teen Released After Stealing Running Vehicles Does It Again -- And Again, Clifton Police Charge A Clifton teen who stole vehicles that their owners left running was busted by police – then went right back to it after he was released, authorities said. Several vehicles had been taken from the Botany Village area of the city, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. All were recovered within a three-to-four-block radius of Center Street “usually within 24 hours from the time of each theft,” Bracken said. Police were paying particular attention to the area when Officer Garrell Middleton stopped a stolen 2018 Honda CRV on Main Avenue and arrested Jeffrey Luzon, 19, the lieutenant said. Luzon …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Ski-Masked Gunmen Rob Route 3 Gas Station Ski-Masked Gunmen Rob Route 3 Gas Station
Ski-Masked Gunmen Rob Route 3 Gas Station Armed robbers in ski masks took a few hundred dollars in cash and cigarettes at gunpoint from a Route 3 service station in Clifton, authorities confirmed. Two armed with handguns held a pair of employees at bay at the Exxon station on the highway's westbound side between Main and Passaic avenues shortly before 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. They fled on foot with the proceeds, possibly with accomplices, Bracken said. No injuries were reported. Anyone who might have witnessed the robbery or has information that could help identify and/or find those responsible is ask…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Clifton Police Car Crashes During Pursuit Of Repeat Offender Following Store Burglary Clifton Police Car Crashes During Pursuit Of Repeat Offender Following Store Burglary
Clifton Police Car Crashes During Pursuit Of Repeat Offender Following Store Burglary A Clifton police car crashed during the pursuit of a repeat offender wanted for series of smash and grab burglaries in Bergen and Passaic counties, authorities said. Joseph Holman, 41, of Passaic was wanted for a string of incidents, including the May 13 burglary of a Clifton Avenue business where the front window was smashed and lottery tickets and other items were stolen, Lt. Robert Bracken said. Detectives had obtained a warrant for Holman’s arrest when officers responding to a burglary call – also on Clifton Avenue – spotted him riding a bicycle around 3 a.m. Monday, Bracken said. They…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Clifton Man Busted On Child Porn Charges Clifton Man Busted On Child Porn Charges
Clifton Man Busted On Child Porn Charges A Clifton man trafficked porn images of children six to 13 years old, authorities said. John Daniel Suther, 50, remained held Thursday in the Passaic County Jail following an early-morning raid at his Columbia Street home off Main Avenue the day before. He’s charged with possessing, producing, maintaining and distributing child pornography. Authorities also charged Suther with the illegal possession of four high-capacity firearm magazines, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Sherriff Richard H. Berdnik said. Berdnik’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit investigated along wi…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Authorities: Clifton Police Sergeant Nabs Fleeing Bank Robber Authorities: Clifton Police Sergeant Nabs Fleeing Bank Robber
Authorities: Clifton Police Sergeant Nabs Fleeing Bank Robber GOTCHA! A Clifton police sergeant rushing to the scene nabbed a bank robber as he fled,  authorities said. Robert Fitzpatrick, 33, of Elizabeth was charged with robbing the Wells Fargo branch on Main Avenue near the Clifton Commons mall off Route 3 shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, Detective Sgt. Robert Anderson said. Moments earlier, he'd handed a teller a note demanding cash and fled with undisclosed proceeds, Anderson said. No weapon was shown, he said. Sgt. Bruce Lawson was headed to the call when he spotted Fitzpatrick, who fit the robber's description -- and captured him. Fitzpatri…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Authorities: Clifton Police Sergeant Nabs Fleeing Bank Robber Authorities: Clifton Police Sergeant Nabs Fleeing Bank Robber
Authorities: Clifton Police Sergeant Nabs Fleeing Bank Robber GOTCHA! A Clifton police sergeant rushing to the scene nabbed a bank robber as he fled,  authorities said. Robert Fitzpatrick, 33, of Elizabeth was charged with robbing the Wells Fargo branch on Main Avenue near the Clifton Commons mall off Route 3 shortly after 9 a.m. Monday, Detective Sgt. Robert Anderson said. Moments earlier, he'd handed a teller a note demanding cash and fled with undisclosed proceeds, Anderson said. No weapon was shown, he said. Sgt. Bruce Lawson was headed to the call when he spotted Fitzpatrick, who fit the robber's description -- and captured him. Fitzpatri…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
‘HELP ME!’ Clifton PD Rescues Couple Kidnapped By Violent Sex Offender Posing As Police Officer ‘HELP ME!’ Clifton PD Rescues Couple Kidnapped By Violent Sex Offender Posing As Police Officer
‘Help ME!’ Clifton PD Rescues Couple Kidnapped By Violent Sex Offender Posing As Police Officer “HELP ME!” a Morris County woman mouthed to a stranger in the parking lot of a Clifton bank after she and a companion were kidnapped by a violent registered sex offender. That brought Clifton police, who captured both the abductor and an accomplice, authorities said. The 28-year-old woman and her companion, a 32-year-old West Milford man, told police that they were parked near the corner of Main and Vreeland avenues around 10:45 p.m. Friday when there was a tap on the driver’s side window. Travis Mann, 39, of Hewitt identified himself as a police officer and said they were breaking the law…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
VIDEO: Two Injured, Thousands Lose Power When UPS Truck Topples Pole, Ignites Fire In Clifton VIDEO: Two Injured, Thousands Lose Power When UPS Truck Topples Pole, Ignites Fire In Clifton
Video: Two Injured, Thousands Lose Power When UPS Truck Topples Pole, Ignites Fire In Clifton UPDATE: A UPS truck toppled a utility pole in Clifton, igniting a fire that consumed a minivan, injuring a 70-something couple and knocking out power to more than 1,200 customers. The truck apparently snagged wires and pulled the pole across Main Avenue and onto a Dodge Caravan near Hillman Street at 3:58 p.m. Live wires burned the 77-year-old male driver and the crash injured the head of his 71-year-old passenger, Detective Sgt. Robert Anderson said. The Paterson couple was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening, Anderson told…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
RECOGNIZE HIM? Clifton Woman, 20, Says Stranger Groped Her In Broad Daylight RECOGNIZE HIM? Clifton Woman, 20, Says Stranger Groped Her In Broad Daylight
Recognize HIM? Clifton Woman, 20, Says Stranger Groped Her In Broad Daylight A 20-year-old Clifton woman told police a man came up from behind and grabbed her breast as she walked along a downtown street. The woman said she was walking on Main Avenue near Hadley Avenue just after 8 a.m. July 2 when the stranger accosted her, reaching into the front of her top to grab her breast, before running away. She wasn't injured, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. He asked that anyone who might have witnessed the assault or has surveillance video or other information that could help the investigation contact the Clifton Police Detective Division at (973) 470-5908. &…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Clifton PD: Fleeing Suspect Runs Red Light, Crashes Car Into Two Other Vehicles Clifton PD: Fleeing Suspect Runs Red Light, Crashes Car Into Two Other Vehicles
Clifton PD: Fleeing Suspect Runs Red Light, Crashes Car Into Two Other Vehicles A shoplifting suspect from Prospect Park ran a red light, crashed his Lexus into two other vehicles and was taken into custody after fleeing the Target in Clifton Commons, authorities said. No one was seriously injured in the 7:40 p.m. crash Saturday on Main Avenue at the intersection of Layfayette Avenue, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. Officers responding to the call tried stopping the silver vehicle, but the driver took off moments before crashing, Bracken said. Identified as Charles Thompson, 55, he was charged with eluding and shoplifting, issued several traffic summonses and relea…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Three Chases, Hours-Long Search Turns Into Clifton Car Burglary Arrest Three Chases, Hours-Long Search Turns Into Clifton Car Burglary Arrest
Three Chases, Hours-Long Search Turns Into Clifton Car Burglary Arrest Persistence paid off for Clifton police who caught an overnight car burglar, authorities said. Two thieves took off through backyards when they spotted officers responding to a burglary call near the corner of Leopold Terrace and West Fourth Street around 1:30 a.m. Monday, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. At least five vehicles had been broken into and ransacked, he said. Two hours later, a caller directed police to Parkway, where a suspicious man was seen emerging from the woods. The suspect ran off again, Bracken said. Around 6 a.m. -- four and a half hours after the initial cal…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Arrest Made, Attempted Murder Charges Filed In Shooting Of Two North Arlington Men In Clifton Arrest Made, Attempted Murder Charges Filed In Shooting Of Two North Arlington Men In Clifton
Arrest Made, Attempted Murder Charges Filed In Shooting Of Two North Arlington Men In Clifton Detectives this week arrested a Paterson resident who they said shot two men from North Arlington five months ago in Clifton. Noel Santos, 33, was being held in the Passaic County Jail, charged with two counts each of attempted murder and aggravated assault, as well as several weapons offenses. Santos was the gunman who wounded the victims – one 46, the other 19 – on Jan. 14 in the area of Main Avenue and Temple Street near Route 21, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Mark P. Centurione said in a joint release. Prosecutors will ask a Superior Court judge i…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Was It You? $1M Lottery Ticket Winner Sold In Clifton Was It You? $1M Lottery Ticket Winner Sold In Clifton
Was It You? $1M Lottery Ticket Winner Sold In Clifton If you purchased a Mega Millions lottery ticket from the Welsh Farms and Blimpie sub shop in Clifton, your future may get much brighter. A second-tier prizewinning ticket worth $1 million from Tuesday's drawing was sold at the Main Avenue sandwich shop. The winning numbers were 24, 37, 41, 61, and 70. The Gold Mega Ball was 20, and the Megaplier Multiplier was 03. The next drawing will be held Friday, May 3 at 11 p.m.

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Clifton Police Nab Shoplifter Who Drove There In Car Stolen In Hackensack, Authorities Say Clifton Police Nab Shoplifter Who Drove There In Car Stolen In Hackensack, Authorities Say
Clifton Police Nab Shoplifter Who Drove There In Car Stolen In Hackensack, Authorities Say Clifton police nabbed a shoplifter who’d driven there in a car stolen out of Hackensack, authorities said. Responding to a report of a thief who’d just fled Corrado’s Market on Main Avenue, officers found Jean Carlos Santana-Maldonado, 29, of Paterson on a nearby street, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. They also recovered 1 1998 Honda Civic, reported stolen out of Hackensack, that contained several pieces of stolen property, Bracken said. Santana-Maldonado had driven there in the car, they said. After finding several outstanding warrants, police sent him to the Passaic County Jail, pen…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
At Least Three Vehicle Thefts In Two Days; Clifton Police Nab Accused Thief At Least Three Vehicle Thefts In Two Days; Clifton Police Nab Accused Thief
At Least Three Vehicle Thefts In Two Days; Clifton Police Nab Accused Thief Clifton police nabbed a repeat offender in a minivan that he stole barely 24 hours after swiping two other vehicles, authorities said Friday. Officer Edward Welsh and Diorys Turbides stopped the Dodge minivan in the area of Lafayette Avenue and Oak Streeet in Passaic, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. The driver, 28-year-old Rafael Mora-Reynoso resisted at first but was quickly taken into custody, he said. He was charged with stealing the minivan from the 200 block of Clifton Avenue around 11:30 a.m. Feb. 11 and with taking a 2003 Hyundai from Walgreens on Main Avenue the day before – whi…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Lifestyle
Shocking Lottery Win Is Dream Come True For Passaic County Couple Shocking Lottery Win Is Dream Come True For Passaic County Couple
Shocking Lottery Win Is Dream Come True For Passaic County Couple New Jersey Lottery's crossword scratch-off games have long been a favorite for "Mr. Isam." He's won several prizes playing them -- sometimes $50 and $100 -- and knew he may get lucky again. And recently, he did, winning $50,000. Isam purchased a $5 Super Crossword scratch-off ticket from his usual spot, 7-Eleven on Main Avenue in Clifton, and thought he had won $50. “Please cash my $50 ticket so I can buy my coffee," he told the cashier. The retailer, however, replied that he wouldn't be able to because Isam won $50,000. Isam's jaw dropped. He was in a state of shock and couldn't believe …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Prosecutor: Fleeing Clifton Motorcyclist Killed After Steering Into Oncoming Traffic Prosecutor: Fleeing Clifton Motorcyclist Killed After Steering Into Oncoming Traffic
Prosecutor: Fleeing Clifton Motorcyclist Killed After Steering Into Oncoming Traffic A 20-year-old motorcyclist from Clifton who'd just been stopped by police roared off into oncoming traffic and was struck and killed by a sedan, authorities said. Police had pulled over Joshua Montan on Main Avenue before he sped off just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said. The bike then crashed head-on into a 2013 Toyota Camry driven by a 75-year-old Clifton woman, they said. The victim was taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. The elderly driver wasn’t injured. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes asked that anyone who might have w…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Clifton PD Seeks Public's Help Finding Gunman Who Robbed Dunkin Donuts Clifton PD Seeks Public's Help Finding Gunman Who Robbed Dunkin Donuts
Clifton PD Seeks Public's Help Finding Gunman Who Robbed Dunkin Donuts Clifton police asked the public for help Thursday finding the gunman who robbed a Dunkin' Donuts earlier this month. The dark-skinned bandit was wearing a ski mask when he pulled a gun on an employee at the otherwise-empty donut shop at Main and Union avenues around 5 a.m. Oct. 2, Lt. Robert Bracken said. The robber removed cash from the register and ran off on Main Avenue, the lieutenant said. The employee wasn't injured, he said. Bracken asked that anyone who saw anything or has information that could help catch the robber call Clifton police: (973) 470-5908.

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Authorities: Pedestrian, 36, Killed In Route 3 Weekend Crash In Clifton Was Visiting From India Authorities: Pedestrian, 36, Killed In Route 3 Weekend Crash In Clifton Was Visiting From India
Authorities: Pedestrian, 36, Killed In Route 3 Weekend Crash In Clifton Was Visiting From India Authorities had to delay publicly identifying a 36-year-old Indian native who was struck and killed before dawn Sunday on westbound Route 3 in Clifton as they sought to notify his next of kin. Virender Garg -- who was visiting the United Sttates -- was pronounced dead a short time after the 12:06 a.m. crash in the area of Main Avenue, authorities said. He was struck by a Toyota Matrix driven by a 57-year-old Sparta man who wasn’t injured and remained at the scene, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Mark Centurione said in a joint release Monday afternoon. …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Clifton PD: Shoplifter Tries To Stab Security Guard, Caught Hopping Bus Clifton PD: Shoplifter Tries To Stab Security Guard, Caught Hopping Bus
Clifton PD: Shoplifter Tries To Stab Security Guard, Caught Hopping Bus A shoplifter tried to stab a security guard at a Clifton dollar store, then was caught and subdued while trying to flee on a bus, authorities said. Jose Sandoval, 29, pulled the knife and tried to stab the guard during a struggle at the Family Dollar store on Getty Avenue Monday afternoon, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. Responding officers grabbed Sandoval after he tried to hop the bus in the area of Main and Crooks avenues, Bracken said. Sandover was charged with aggravated assault, robbery, theft and weapons possession and sent to the Passaic County Jail, the lieutenant said. The em…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Politics
Cabbie Says Gang Of 5 Held Knife To His Neck, Took Cash In Clifton Cabbie Says Gang Of 5 Held Knife To His Neck, Took Cash In Clifton
Cabbie Says Gang Of 5 Held Knife To His Neck, Took Cash In Clifton A cab driver told Clifton police one of five robbers put a knife to his neck and took his cash after making him pull over. The driver said he picked up the five in another town and was headed to the Clifton/Passaic border when they ordered him to stop at Main and Madison avenues around 1 a.m. Saturday, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. They later fled on foot with an undetermined amount of cash, the driver said. He described them only as Hispanic, in their late teens or early 20s. Anyone who might have seen something or has information that could help police is asked to call the the Clif…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Clifton PD: Irate Restaurant Patron Fights Staff, Responding Officers Clifton PD: Irate Restaurant Patron Fights Staff, Responding Officers
Clifton PD: Irate Restaurant Patron Fights Staff, Responding Officers A Clifton restaurant patron upset with his bill broke a bottle of alcohol, head-butted an employee, then fought with police who eventually subdued him, authorities said. Martin Castillo-Valdizan, 52, “refused to pay his bill when it was brought to him and became irate with restaurant staff” at El Mexicano Restaurant on Main Avenue, Sgt. Robert Anderson said. “At one point, he picked up a bottle of alcohol and broke it on the bar,” Anderson added. An employee who tried to calm him down was then head-butted in the face, the sergeant said. Officers who responded to the 2:22 a.m. call on Satu…

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by Jerry DeMarco