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River Vale, NJ

Police & Fire
AGAIN? Another Alarm Malfunction Brings Massive Law Enforcement Response To Westwood HS AGAIN? Another Alarm Malfunction Brings Massive Law Enforcement Response To Westwood HS
Again? Another Alarm Malfunction Brings Massive Law Enforcement Response To Westwood HS The second alarm system malfunction at Westwood Regional High School in a little over two weeks created a confusing scene as parents and guardians were dropping off their children on Thursday. The system triggered a 7:43 a.m. May 2 lockdown, similar to what occurred on April 16, when the system malfunctioned twice, Westwood Regional Schools Supt. Jill Mortimer said. As before, a legion of tactical and other law enforcement officers converged on Washington Township -- among them, a Bergen County Regional SWAT team and police from the township, Westwood, Emerson, River Val…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
FEDS: Serial Burglar Makes Bogus Calls To Divert Police Before Multiple NJ Drug Store Break-Ins FEDS: Serial Burglar Makes Bogus Calls To Divert Police Before Multiple NJ Drug Store Break-Ins
Feds: Serial Burglar Makes Bogus Calls To Divert Police Before Multiple NJ Drug Store Break-Ins A hapless burglar tried to keep police in a half-dozen Bergen County towns busy with bogus calls of carjackings, kidnappings and other threats to try and buy himself time to break into local drug stores, federal authorities said. Michael J. Gynegrowski, 34, hit pharmacies in Cresskill, Hackensack, Oradell, River Vale and Teaneck, usually by breaking a window, they said. Six of a reported 10 attempts failed, but Gynegrowski did swipe a significant amount of Oxy, promethazine and other medications from an Englewood drug store, investigators told Daily Voice. Police in the various towns …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Bergen Woman Wanted For Threatening Animal Rescue In PA Busted By Local PD In Eviction Clash Bergen Woman Wanted For Threatening Animal Rescue In PA Busted By Local PD In Eviction Clash
Bergen Woman Wanted For Threatening Animal Rescue In PA Busted By Local PD In Eviction Clash A troubled Bergen County woman wanted in Pennsylvania for harassing and threatening an animal rescue there was arrested by River Vale police during an eviction. Catherine DeLucia, 56, “was uncooperative and refused to comply” with Bergen County sheriff's officers and local police trying to remove her from the Collignon Way home, River Vale Lt. Joshua Wisse said on Friday, Nov. 17. A computer check found that DeLucia was wanted out of Snyder County, PA, on charges of making terroristic threats and repeated anonymous harassment. DeLucia has had an ongoing battle with an animal rescue that s…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
GOTCHA! Manhunt Ends In Out-Of-State Capture Of Accused Child Molester From Bergen County GOTCHA! Manhunt Ends In Out-Of-State Capture Of Accused Child Molester From Bergen County
Gotcha! Manhunt Ends In Out-Of-State Capture Of Accused Child Molester From Bergen County An accused child molester from Bergen County who remained on the run for two years was captured by US Marshals in South Carolina, authorities said. Cesar de Jesus Perez Acosta, 37, of River Vale is accused of touching the pre-teen victim's breasts and vagina in October 2021, court records show. River Vale police obtained a warrant for Perez Acosta’s arrest following interviews with those present at the time of the alleged assault, a criminal complaint filed in Superior Court in Hackensack says. A DNA swab of the girl's breast provided physical evidence, the complaint says without elaborat…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Weather
22,000+ NJ Residents Without Power, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Remains In Effect 22,000+ NJ Residents Without Power, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Remains In Effect
22,000+ NJ Residents Without Power, Severe Thunderstorm Watch Remains In Effect Thousands of New Jersey residents were without power after a round of powerful afternoon storms swept through the region. The National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for much of the region through 11 p.m., and that comes after a round of quarter-sized hail and gusty winds. As of 5:25 p.m., the following areas were without power: JCP&L Essex County: 7,005 customers (most in Millburn [3.2K], Livingston [2.3K]) Monmouth County: 2,563 (most in Howell [1.9K]) Morris County: 11,300 (most in Boonton [1.6K], East Hanover [2.2K], Florham Park [1.2K], Montville [3…

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by Cecilia Levine
Schools
These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28 These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28
These NJ Schools Are Closed, Delayed Due To Snow Tuesday, Feb. 28 The first winter storm of the season is causing a change in plans for New Jersey schools on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Some districts have delayed openings while others are closed completely. Here's a list of which school are closed or delayed for Tuesday, Feb. 28. Check your school/district's website for details. Bedminster: 10: 50 a.m. start Bellville: Delayed Bergen County Tech: Closed Bergenfield: 2-hour delay Bernards: 2-hour delay Bloomfield: Delay Bloomingdale: Closed Bogota: Delayed Butler: Closed Cliffside Park: 10 a.m. start Clifton: Delayed Closter: Delayed Cresskill: Delayed Demarest: …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Drowning Bergen County Boy, 3, Pulled From Pool Drowning Bergen County Boy, 3, Pulled From Pool
Drowning Bergen County Boy, 3, Pulled From Pool A drowning 3-year-old boy was pulled from a backyard pool and rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center early Monday afternoon. Hospital staff tried to resuscitate the child, who was in cardiac arrest as police escorted the ambulance from the home on Forest Avenue in Rochelle Park shortly after 1:30 p.m. Hackensack and Maywood police assisted in clearing a path. The Bergen County Sheriff's Bureau of Criminal Identification responded to collect evidence and the county prosecutor's office was notified. It was another in a tragic string of accidents this summer not just in Bergen County …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
TERRIFYING: Children In Separate Bergen County Homes Come Face-To-Face With Brazen Car Thieves TERRIFYING: Children In Separate Bergen County Homes Come Face-To-Face With Brazen Car Thieves
Terrifying: Children In Separate Bergen County Homes Come Face-To-Face With Brazen Car Thieves It can give you chills: Children from two separate homes in Old Tappan came into contact with brazen thieves trying to steal their parents’ cars, authorities said. A bandit tried taking a Range Rover from the driveway of one home while two young girls played in front of it, Police Chief Joseph Tracy said. Hours later, a thief in a black ski mask and hoodie entered an open garage door to steal a Mercedes Benz but bolted after he was confronted by the residents’ 12-year-old son. Although both attempts failed, a third succeeded when a 2022 BMW that had been left unlocked with the key fob insi…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
River Vale Resident Drowns In Backyard Pool River Vale Resident Drowns In Backyard Pool
River Vale Resident Drowns In Backyard Pool A 55-year-old River Vale man drowned in his backyard pool on Friday, authorities confirmed. Borough police responding to a 911 call at 624 Brian Court shortly after 11 a.m. found Daniel Balestra still in the pool, responders said. Offices pulled the victim from the pool and began CPR, Police Lt. John Wisse said. “Hackensack University Medical Center Advanced Life Support arrived on the scene and it was determined he was deceased,” Wisse said. The Bergen County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Identification collected evidence and the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Lifestyle
North Jersey Boy Draws On Passion For Technology With Christmas Light Display North Jersey Boy Draws On Passion For Technology With Christmas Light Display
North Jersey Boy Draws On Passion For Technology With Christmas Light Display The creative mind behind one of the brightest homes in Bergen County is only 10 years old. Ryan Pleeter, of Thurnau Drive in River Vale, was inspired to make a Christmas light display of his own by his uncle, Chris. "He asked for a few strings of pixel lights for Christmas and started researching on YouTube how to set up his own display at our house -- and the rest was history," his mom Briana Pleeter said. "Ryan is really into technology so this was a way to expand upon that passion." Ryan -- who has a YouTube channel dedicated to all-things technology -- started making the arches that l…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Deer Chased By Dog Dies After Crashing Through Window Of River Vale Home Deer Chased By Dog Dies After Crashing Through Window Of River Vale Home
Deer Chased By Dog Dies After Crashing Through Window Of River Vale Home It came in as a possible burglary in progress but turned out to be a horrific accident. Sometime before dawn Wednesday, a deer being chased by a dog crashed through the window of a River Vale home, police said. The gravely wounded deer eventually died, Capt. Chris Bulger said. Animal control removed the carcass from the Coopers Lane home, he said. “The dog appeared to be fine and the deer showed no signs of injury from the dog,” the captain said. The dog’s owner and the homeowner “have been in contact and will handle the matter between them for the damage,” he said.

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Police: Rockland Brothers Seized In Montvale After Pointing Fake Gun, Throwing Fireworks On Bus Police: Rockland Brothers Seized In Montvale After Pointing Fake Gun, Throwing Fireworks On Bus
Police: Rockland Brothers Seized In Montvale After Pointing Fake Gun, Throwing Fireworks On Bus UPDATE: An extremely tense situation ended safely when police in Montvale seized two underage Rockland brothers who they said threatened passengers on a commuter bus with a fake gun and fireworks. Police stopped the Monsey Trails bus on Chestnut Ridge Road around 10 p.m. Thursday after receiving multiple calls that one of the Monsey brothers – ages 14 and 16 – pointed a pistol at fellow passengers, Montvale Police Chief Joseph Sanfilippo said. The pair also threw lighted fireworks at them, the chief said. Fellow officers from Woodcliff Lake, Upper Saddle River, Park Ridge, Hillsdale, and R…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Motorcyclist Killed In Route 4 Crash With Deer Motorcyclist Killed In Route 4 Crash With Deer
Motorcyclist Killed In Route 4 Crash With Deer A motorcyclist from River Vale was killed when he struck a deer on Route 4 in Teaneck before dawn Monday. Albert Spechar, 58, was ejected and landed in the middle of the roadway of the eastbound highway after hitting a four-point buck shortly after 5:30 a.m., responders said. Spechar was later pronounced dead at the scene just past the Margaret Street overpass near Teaneck High School, they said. The motorcycle landed on its side near a bus shelter further on up the road. The eastbound highway remained closed through the morning rush, with backups through Paramus, as the Bergen County Pr…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
River Vale Man Charged With Clubbing Ex-Roomie With Baton In Hillsdale Liquor Store Brawl River Vale Man Charged With Clubbing Ex-Roomie With Baton In Hillsdale Liquor Store Brawl
River Vale Man Charged With Clubbing Ex-Roomie With Baton In Hillsdale Liquor Store Brawl A River Vale man surrendered to Hillsdale police on Friday after clobbering a former roommate with an expandable baton during a fight at a local liquor store, authorities said. Bartello Merlino, 45, and the victim already had a contentious history when they ran into each other at the Bottle King on Washington Avenue early Thursday night, Police Capt. Sean Smith said. They exchanged words and began fighting when Merlino pulled out the baton and whacked the 26-year-old borough man over the head with it, Smith said. He then fled in a Jeep Liberty, the captain said. The victim was taken to Ha…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
New Jersey EMS President Charged With Stealing Nearly $100K From Rescue Squad New Jersey EMS President Charged With Stealing Nearly $100K From Rescue Squad
New Jersey EMS President Charged With Stealing Nearly $100K From Rescue Squad A Bergen County man was charged with stealing nearly $100,000 from the Essex County emergency rescue squad that he presided over, authorities said. Jonathan Arredondo stole more than $75,000 from various Nutley Emergency and Rescue Squad accounts and ran up more than $30,000 in personal finances, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, said Friday. The 30-year-old River Vale resident withdrew cash of approximately $5,000 increments and then deposited the money into his own personal bank accounts 19 times between May 2019 and August 2020, Stephens said. Arredondo serve…

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by Cecilia Levine
Real Estate
LOOK INSIDE: Priciest Hoboken Brownstone Sold Since 2016 Just Went For $5M LOOK INSIDE: Priciest Hoboken Brownstone Sold Since 2016 Just Went For $5M
Look Inside: Priciest Hoboken Brownstone Sold Since 2016 Just Went For $5M A 7,400-square-foot Hoboken brownstone has sold for $5 million, making it the priciest townhouse sale in the city in years. The $5 million home at 903 Hudson Street was built in 2014 and boasts 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths and 2 powder rooms and three family rooms. Other amenities include a private driveway, elevator, home gym, roof deck and walk-in wine cellar. In 2016, a townhouse on the same street sold for $6.5 million. Both were brokered by the The Hudson Realty Group, which merged under the Brown Harris Stevens brand in June.  The firm is the largest privately held …

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by Cecilia Levine
News
BATTLE ENDS: Woodcliff Lake Agrees To Allow Orthodox Worship Center And Pay $1.5 Million BATTLE ENDS: Woodcliff Lake Agrees To Allow Orthodox Worship Center And Pay $1.5 Million
Battle Ends: Woodcliff Lake Agrees To Allow Orthodox Worship Center And Pay $1.5 Million An Orthodox Jewish congregation will be allowed to build a new worship center in Woodcliff Lake under an agreement reached Tuesday, ending a years-long battle that the borough fought with both the religious group and the federal government. Under a pair of the agreements announced Tuesday, the feds and Valley Chabad are both dropping lawsuits against the borough for denying zoning approvals for the property at Werimus Road and Woodcliff Avenue. The borough also will pay Valley Chabad $1.5 million in damages and attorney’s fees resulting from the ordeal, under a separate agreement between th…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Driver Dead, SUV Found In Hackensack River In River Vale Driver Dead, SUV Found In Hackensack River In River Vale
Driver Dead, SUV Found In Hackensack River In River Vale A popular Hillsdale firefighter was found dead in his SUV Thursday in the upper Hackensack River in River Vale, the apparent victim of a heart attack. John Inserra, 48, was married with three young children -- two boys and a girl. He coached and was extremely active in local youth sports, including softball and wrestling. Inserra was reported missing after he headed to the a gym in Norwood early Thursday and wasn't heard from again, close friends said. His phone was pinged to the area of Rivervale Road and Piermont Avenue in River Vale several hours later. Officers from both towns respon…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
TRAGIC ACCIDENT: Bergen Man, 68, Electrocuted By Wire Downed By Storm TRAGIC ACCIDENT: Bergen Man, 68, Electrocuted By Wire Downed By Storm
Tragic Accident: Bergen Man, 68, Electrocuted By Wire Downed By Storm A River Vale father of two was electrocuted Wednesday when he apparently touched a live wire downed by Tropical Storm Isaias, responders said. John Fahey, 68, was clearing branches and other debris from his front yard on Demarest Avenue at the Hillsdale border when he apparently walked into the wire around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, they said. Officers found him unresponsive and not breathing, Police Chief Sean Scheidle said.  A PSE&G crew was summoned to cut power. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by an ALS unit soon after, the chief said. Police notified the Bergen Count…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Closter PD: Bergenfield Ex-Con In Domestic Assault Threatens To Hunt Down, Kill Police Closter PD: Bergenfield Ex-Con In Domestic Assault Threatens To Hunt Down, Kill Police
Closter PD: Bergenfield Ex-Con In Domestic Assault Threatens To Hunt Down, Kill Police A Bergenfield ex-con with a history of arrests in no fewer than a dozen Bergen County towns assaulted a woman, damaged a Closter police car and threatened to kill the arresting officers, authorities said Tuesday. David Fusco, 36, got out of his car and began yelling and cursing at officers responding to an assault call at the Closter Nature Center, calling them “pigs,” Detective Lt. Vincent Aiello said. As they checked on the victim and took Fusco into custody, he “threatened to take officers’ weapons from their holsters and kill them” and said that he’d remember their names and faces, then…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Vehicle Struck By Shotgun Blast On Quiet Old Tappan Street, Local Resident Charged Vehicle Struck By Shotgun Blast On Quiet Old Tappan Street, Local Resident Charged
Vehicle Struck By Shotgun Blast On Quiet Old Tappan Street, Local Resident Charged UPDATE: Authorities charged an Old Tappan resident whose shotgun accidentally went off in his driveway and sprayed a passing car with pellets. Darden Bilali, 46, was outside his Old Tappan Road home when the gun discharged shortly before 1:30 p.m.Thursday, hitting a car driven by a 71-year-old borough man with several pellets, authorities said. The driver wasn’t injured in the accidental misfire between Rivervale Road and Washington Avenue, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Friday. Musella’s Special Investigations Squad responded along with Old Tappan and River Vale police, a…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
Cliffside Park Baseball Coach Ben Luderer, 30, Dies Of Coronavirus Cliffside Park Baseball Coach Ben Luderer, 30, Dies Of Coronavirus
Cliffside Park Baseball Coach Ben Luderer, 30, Dies Of Coronavirus A 30-year-old Cliffside Park baseball coach and special education teacher died from complications related to coronavirus. Ben Luderer, of River Vale, was starting catcher for Don Bosco Prep's team in 2008 -- which won the national championship with a 33-0 finish -- and later played for Marist College. Cliffside Park Superintendent Michael Romagnino announced Luderer's passing Monday. Luderer went to the hospital but was sent home because his symptoms presented as minor, his former Bosco coach Greg Butler told NorthJersey.com. Luderer's former Bosco teammate Michael Apreda rememb…

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by Cecilia Levine