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Garfield, NJ

Police & Fire
NJ Travel Agent Stole $896K From 82 Clients, 3 Friends She Impersonated: Prosecutor NJ Travel Agent Stole $896K From 82 Clients, 3 Friends She Impersonated: Prosecutor
NJ Travel Agent Stole $896K From 82 Clients, 3 Friends She Impersonated: Prosecutor A Bergen County woman is facing a laundry list of charges after allegedly stealing nearly $900,000 through identity theft and bogus travel bookings, authorities said. Bhavna Anand, 39, of Garfield, was arrested on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Saddle Brook following a months-long investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, according to Prosecutor Mark Musella. It began in May 2024, when the Lodi Police Department flagged an alleged theft scheme involving Anand. Investigators say that between January 2017 and Dece…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Substitute Teacher, 62, Sexually Assaults 3 Students On Same Day: Bergen Prosecutor Substitute Teacher, 62, Sexually Assaults 3 Students On Same Day: Bergen Prosecutor
Substitute Teacher, 62, Sexually Assaults 3 Students On Same Day: Bergen Prosecutor A 62-year-old substitute teacher at a school in Garfield has been arrested on accusations he sexually assaulted three juvenile students, authorities said on Friday, March 21. Marc S. Green, of Teaneck, assaulted the students at the Bergen County Arts & Science Charter School on March 18, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said following an investigation. Green inappropriately touched three victims under 13 years old, according to the criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice. Green had been acting in the capacity of a certified substitute at the time of the incidents, police said. …

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Pink Poodle Takes A Plunge: Miss Molly Rescued After Daring Swim Across Passaic River Pink Poodle Takes A Plunge: Miss Molly Rescued After Daring Swim Across Passaic River
Pink Poodle Takes A Plunge: Miss Molly Rescued After Daring Swim Across Passaic River Molly the pink poodle had an adventure worthy of a Hollywood movie—except her great escape ended with a daring swim across the Passaic River and a multi-agency rescue effort that had everyone holding their breath. It all started when Garfield Police received a call at 4:15 p.m. on Monday, March 3, about a small, pink-colored dog running loose near River Drive and Lanza Avenue, according to Garfield Police Captain Mario X. Pozo. Earlier that day, Molly’s owner had already reported her missing after she slipped away from her Aster Lane home around 11 a.m. Concerned for her beloved, uniquely-c…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Cops Smash Window, Seize Gun Loaded With High-Capacity Mag From Wanted Man In Bergen County: PD Cops Smash Window, Seize Gun Loaded With High-Capacity Mag From Wanted Man In Bergen County: PD
Cops Smash Window, Seize Gun Loaded With High-Capacity Mag From Wanted Man In Bergen County: PD A Lodi man wanted in connection with a domestic violence incident was seized following a tense motor vehicle top in Garfield, during which officers found him in possession of a handgun loaded with a high-capacity magazine and hollow-point bullets, authorities said. Officers received a “be on the lookout” alert from Lodi Saturday, Jan. 11, before spotting a blue Acura TL matching the description around 11:05 p.m., Garfield Police Capt. Mario Pozo said. Christian O. Cabrera was behind the wheel, police said. Officer Marvin Camano — aware of a potential threat posed by a handgun — stopped the …

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
'The Wait Is Over:' Popular Bar Blackjack Mulligan's Opens Third Location 'The Wait Is Over:' Popular Bar Blackjack Mulligan's Opens Third Location
'The Wait Is Over:' Popular Bar Blackjack Mulligan's Opens Third Location Blackjack Mulligan's Public House, a popular destination for food and drink enthusiasts across Bergen and Passaic counties, is expanding with the opening of its highly anticipated third location. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Blackjack Mulligan’s Hawthorne 🍀 (@blackjacks_hawthorne) "The Wait Is OVER!" the pub said in breaking the news. The new Woodland Park spot will host a soft opening on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 3 p.m., at 1145 McBride Avenue. It takes over the former McBride's space, which closed last July, and promises to bring…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Passaic, Provided Alcohol: Prosecutor Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Passaic, Provided Alcohol: Prosecutor
Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Passaic, Provided Alcohol: Prosecutor A 28-year-old Ridgefield Park man is accused of sexually assaulting a victim when they were a pre-teen and as a teenager, and giving them marijuana and alcohol on one occasion, authorities said. Ronal P. Vasquez allegedly sexually assaulted the child between ages 13 and 16 in Garfield and gave them marijuana and alcohol, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said citing an investigation launched on Dec. 29, 2024. Vasquez previously sexually assaulted the child twice when they were under 13 years old in Lodi and Passaic, Musella added. Vasquez was arrested in Ridgefield Park on Tuesday, Jan…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
DUI Driver Arrested After Train Collides With Car On Tracks In Bergen County: Officials DUI Driver Arrested After Train Collides With Car On Tracks In Bergen County: Officials
DUI Driver Arrested After Train Collides With Car On Tracks In Bergen County: Officials A motorist was arrested for driving under the influence after their vehicle was struck by an NJ Transit train carrying about 450 passengers Monday evening, Nov. 25, officials said. The collision happened at approximately 5:40 p.m., west of the Plauderville Station in Garfield, an NJ Transit spokesperson said. The crash involved Port Jervis Line train #55, which departed Hoboken at 5:16 p.m. and was heading to Port Jervis. Two people were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash but were not injured. Approximately 450 passengers and crew on board the train were also unharmed. The dr…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Three Garfield Officers Struck By Fleeing Vehicle: Prosecutor Three Garfield Officers Struck By Fleeing Vehicle: Prosecutor
Three Garfield Officers Struck By Fleeing Vehicle: Prosecutor Three Garfield police officers were injured late Sunday night, Nov. 17, when vehicles fleeing a scene struck two of them and a police SUV over the weekend, authorities said. The incident began around 11:30 p.m. when Garfield officers responded to reports of suspicious individuals wearing masks in the 400 block of River Drive, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said. As officers arrived, they encountered two vehicles fleeing the area. One of the vehicles struck two officers, while the second vehicle collided with an occupied Garfield Police Department SUV, officials said. The injured off…

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by Cecilia Levine
Politics
Dems Overtake Republicans In Early Voting: Here's Where Polls Are Now Open In North Jersey Dems Overtake Republicans In Early Voting: Here's Where Polls Are Now Open In North Jersey
Dems Overtake Republicans In Early Voting: Here's Where Polls Are Now Open In North Jersey More than 38 million Americans had cast their votes in the 2024 elections as of Saturday morning, Oct. 26, the University of Florida Election Lab's early voter tracker shows. Polls have officially opened for early, in-person voting in New Jersey. How will you be voting? According to the UFL lab, 7.8M Democrats and 6.9M Republicans had already voted. Here's where you can show up and vote in each county in North Jersey come Saturday morning, Oct. 26. BERGEN Jack Alter Community Center, Fort Lee Garfield Nutrition Center & Senior Citizens Building, Garfield County Admin Build…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
$20K Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Sold At Bergen County Liquor Store $20K Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Sold At Bergen County Liquor Store
$20K Scratch-Off Lottery Ticket Sold At Bergen County Liquor Store A New Jersey Lottery scratch-off ticket winning a $20,000 prize was sold at a Bergen County liquor store. The ticket was purchased on Sunday, Sept. 22, at River Drive Bar & Liquor on River Drive in Garfield. A pair of $1 million lottery prizes were won in New Jersey over the weekend, one from the Mega Millions drawing on Friday, Sept. 20 in Middlesex County, and another in the Spectacular games on Sunday, Sept. 22 in Camden County.

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Fleeing Driver, 24, Pins Victim Against Car She Struck In Bergen County: Police Fleeing Driver, 24, Pins Victim Against Car She Struck In Bergen County: Police
Fleeing Driver, 24, Pins Victim Against Car She Struck In Bergen County: Police A 24-year-old woman has been arrested after police say she pinned a pedestrian between her car and a vehicle she'd struck while trying to flee the scene on Labor Day in Bergen County. Ashley Elizabeth Ann Flores, of Garfield, had struck a parked vehicle on Outwater Lane near Wilson Street around 10:20 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. While driving away in a white Jeep, Flores "drove her car into the victim who was on foot, pinning him between her car and the vehicle she just struck," Musella said. The victim was hospitalized with a serious leg injury. F…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
FBI Captures Man Who Sexually Assaulted Child In Bergen County For Months, Prosecutor Says FBI Captures Man Who Sexually Assaulted Child In Bergen County For Months, Prosecutor Says
FBI Captures Man Who Sexually Assaulted Child In Bergen County For Months, Prosecutor Says A 36-year-old New York man has been charged with the sexual assault of a child in Bergen County, police said. Renaldo W. Baxter assaulted a child under the age of 16 years old in Garfield and Teaneck between April and October 2019, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The investigation began on Friday, May 31, when Garfield police contacted the prosecutor's office about the alleged abuse, Musella said. Baxter was charged with one count of second-degree attempted aggravated assault, one count of second-degree sexual assault, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Stalker Fresh Out Of Bergen County Jail Steals Car From Dealership Lot, Police Say Stalker Fresh Out Of Bergen County Jail Steals Car From Dealership Lot, Police Say
Stalker Fresh Out Of Bergen County Jail Steals Car From Dealership Lot, Police Say A 37-year-old man fresh out of jail for stalking was arrested just hours later in Bergen County, police said. Daniel MacTaggart, of Elmwood Park, was jailed on Sunday, Aug. 11 on charges of stalking as a repeat offender, driving on a suspended license/registration, and failure to possess driver's insurance card, court records show. ALSO SEE: Video Shows Officers Tackling Accused Stalker In Stolen Car Outside Teterboro Airport Hours after his release, MacTaggart walked into the service area of Park Avenue Acura on W. Passaic Street in Maywood around 8;30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15,…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Garfield's Aaron Dudek Dies, 30 Garfield's Aaron Dudek Dies, 30
Garfield's Aaron Dudek Dies, 30 Lifelong Garfield resident Aaron Dudek died on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, according to his obituary on the Aloia Funeral Home website. He was 30 years old. Aaron earned his bachelor's in business administration at Montclair State University (Class of 2018). Aaron's LinkedIn page shows he'd been working as the technology lead and digital media coordinator for Jack Georges, a leather bag and luggage company. A parishioner of Our Lady of Mt. Virgin RC Church in Garfield, Aaron leaves behind his parents, John and Margaret (nee Fatuova) Dudek; his sister, Rachel Dudek and her husba…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Wanted Offender Nabbed By Off-Duty Hasbrouck Heights Detective, On-Duty Officer Wanted Offender Nabbed By Off-Duty Hasbrouck Heights Detective, On-Duty Officer
Wanted Offender Nabbed By Off-Duty Hasbrouck Heights Detective, On-Duty Officer A detective and police officer from Hasbrouck Heights teamed up to nab a wanted longtime repeat offender from Garfield. Detective Nicholas Brunetti was off duty when he saw Michael Villamizar, 53, leave the Walgreens on Boulevard and pedal off on a bicycle, Lt. John Behr said. Villamizar was wanted for a May 3 shoplifting at the same pharmacy, the lieutenant said. The detective flagged down Officer John Mullins, who stopped Villamazir on Raymond Street. Villamazir was stuffing items into his backpack just before Collins took him into custody with help from responding Officers Joseph Oliv…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
HERO: Firefighter Seriously Injured Rescuing Guest Through Window In Elmwood Park Motel Blaze HERO: Firefighter Seriously Injured Rescuing Guest Through Window In Elmwood Park Motel Blaze
Hero: Firefighter Seriously Injured Rescuing Guest Through Window In Elmwood Park Motel Blaze 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: An Elmwood Park firefighter was seriously injured rescuing a trapped guest through a second-floor window during an intense motel-room fire Wednesday. The firefighter and her colleagues had smashed the window to get to the victim during the late-morning June 12 blaze at the Townhouse Inn and Suites on eastbound Route 46, Elmwood Park Borough Administrator Michael Foligno said. In doing so, she sustained a serious cut to her arm, Foligno said. Piero Fasolo The guest was helped out the window and down a ladder, he said. Both were taken to St. Joseph's University Medical Cente…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
SICK BURN: Spurned Woman Sets Fire To Ex-BF’s Garfield Apartment, Authorities Charge SICK BURN: Spurned Woman Sets Fire To Ex-BF’s Garfield Apartment, Authorities Charge
Sick Burn: Spurned Woman Sets Fire To Ex-BF’s Garfield Apartment, Authorities Charge 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A woman who vowed to torch her ex-boyfriend's Garfield apartment carried out the threat, said authorities who arrested her after reviewing surveillance video and other evidence. Allison G. Gutierrez-Tuesta, 25, had previously damaged the victim’s car and assaulted him when he ended their relationship, according to local investigators. Shortly after 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 28, she ignited two areas of his second-floor Passaic Street apartment near the Garfield train station, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. One was in his bedroom and the other in the hallway. Gutierrez-…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
HERO: Civilian Rescues Woman From Serial Groper Who Tried To Drag Her Behind Garfield Church HERO: Civilian Rescues Woman From Serial Groper Who Tried To Drag Her Behind Garfield Church
Hero: Civilian Rescues Woman From Serial Groper Who Tried To Drag Her Behind Garfield Church UPDATE: A serial groper who was captured by a SWAT team after a civilian stopped him from dragging a woman behind a church in Garfield earlier this month had been stalking the victim at least since April, authorities said. Garfield police have surveillance video of Michael Hernandez, 25, following, running up and grabbing the woman outside Praise Assembly church at the corner of Main Street and Banta Avenue shortly after 12 noon May 8, investigators said. Grabbing her by her neck and backpack, Hernandez tries to drag the woman behind the church, they said. But a good Samaritan comes to her…

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by Jerry DeMarco