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Bergen County Prosecutor's Office

Secret Accomplice Laborer Played Along In Gunman's Sick Bergen County Scheme: Prosecutor Secret Accomplice Laborer Played Along In Gunman's Sick Bergen County Scheme: Prosecutor
Secret Accomplice Laborer Played Along In Gunman's Sick Bergen County Scheme: Prosecutor A Virginia gunman and his secret accomplice, a laborer hired to help the true victim move, have both been indicted in an armed robbery last March in a Bergen County storage unit, authorities said. Eduardo L. Villegas Valera, 30, of Elmhurst, NY had been hired to help someone move items in Englewood Cliffs on Monday, March 11, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Once at the commercial property on Sylvan Avenue, Villegas Valera alerted Gliderman Cienfuego Castro, 37, confirming the existence of the true victim's watch, the prosecutor said. Just before 4 p.m., Cienfuego Castro, o…
Mugshot Released Of DUI Driver, 18, Accused Of Seriously Injuring Officer On Route 17 Mugshot Released Of DUI Driver, 18, Accused Of Seriously Injuring Officer On Route 17
Mugshot Released Of DUI Driver, 18, Accused Of Seriously Injuring Officer On Route 17 Daily Voice has obtained the mugshot of the 18-year-old Range Rover SUV driver who police say was intoxicated when he caused a weekend crash that left an officer seriously injured on Route 17. Joseph Ford, a resident of the United Kingdom, was speeding in the southbound lanes when he rammed the rear of an Allendale patrol car that had stopped to assist a Saddle River officer on a motor vehicle stop at approximately 10:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, near East Allendale Road, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The impact caused "a four-car chain-reaction crash involving the vehicle stoppe…
Photo Shows Aftermath Of DUI Crash That Injured Officers On Route 17 (UPDATE) Photo Shows Aftermath Of DUI Crash That Injured Officers On Route 17 (UPDATE)
Photo Shows Aftermath Of DUI Crash That Injured Officers On Route 17 (Update) The NJ State PBA has released a photo of the wreckage of the Saturday, Oct. 5 crash caused by a DUI driver that left multiple police officers injured, including one seriously. As of press time, Saddle River Police Officer John Latka has been released from the hospital, while Allendale Police Officer Mark Dunn, Jr. remains hospitalized in critical condition, the NJ State PBA said. The crash was caused by 18-year-old Joseph Ford, of New York City, who was speeding in a Range Rover SUV the southbound lanes when he rammed the rear of Dunn's patrol car that had stopped to assist Latka on a …
Former Fire Chief Indicted In Crash That Killed Teen Girl: Bergen County Prosecutor Former Fire Chief Indicted In Crash That Killed Teen Girl: Bergen County Prosecutor
Former Fire Chief Indicted In Crash That Killed Teen Girl: Bergen County Prosecutor The 61-year-old man and former chief of a local fire department has been indicted in a crash that left a 15-year-old girl dead, authorities in Bergen County said. Timothy Moots, formerly a longtime member of the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department, was operating the Chevrolet Silverado when he struck and killed Serenity Law, 15, of Ridgefield, who was on an electric scooter just before 7:40 p.m. Sunday, April 14, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. On Monday, Sept. 23, Musella said that Moots "made misleading statements to law enforcement in an attempt to minimize his involvement…
Inmate Charged With Selling Former Star HS Wrestler Fentanyl That Killed Him: Prosecutor Inmate Charged With Selling Former Star HS Wrestler Fentanyl That Killed Him: Prosecutor
Inmate Charged With Selling Former Star HS Wrestler Fentanyl That Killed Him: Prosecutor A 28-year-old Paterson man who had been jailed on weapons offenses has been charged in the overdose death of a 26-year-old Bergen County man in 2023, authorities said. Vashawn A. Davis sold Tyler Kallensee, of Oradell, the fentanyl that killed him on Sunday, July 23, 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Kallensee was found by officers responding to a 9-1-1 call reporting an unresponsive man in a private home. Kallensee was pronounced dead at the scene, and indicators of a possible drug overdose were noted, Musella said. Thus began a year-long investiga…
Disturbing New Details Released In Arrest Of Palisades Park Police Officer Disturbing New Details Released In Arrest Of Palisades Park Police Officer
Disturbing New Details Released In Arrest Of Palisades Park Police Officer Disturbing new details have come to light in the arrest of 42-year-old David Chun, a Palisades Park police officer. Chun, 42, of South Hackensack, was arrested Monday, July 22 on a slew of charges stemming from multiple assaults on a woman in Hasbrouck Heights between 2019 and 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The criminal complaint obtained by Daily Voice says that Chun choked the woman on Nov. 25, 2021; tried punching the woman in December 2022, and then again while she was holding a child; tried pushing and picking up a couch while the victim was laying on it; a…
Bergen County Pastor Repeatedly Performed Sex Acts On Child: Criminal Complaint Bergen County Pastor Repeatedly Performed Sex Acts On Child: Criminal Complaint
Bergen County Pastor Repeatedly Performed Sex Acts On Child: Criminal Complaint A 74-year-old Paramus church pastor has been arrested and charged with 21 counts of sexual offenses for disturbing sexual assaults on a girl between ages 13 and 18 for years, authorities announced Friday, July 12. Stephen E. Sweet, the pastor at Grace's Lutheran Church in River Edge, became the center of an investigation on Thursday, July 11, on a tip that he'd sexually assaulted a juvenile in the past, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. ** WARNING: The following news article contains graphic and disturbing information. Reader discretion is advised ** Sweet sexually assaulted…
GOTCHA! Authorities Nab Accused Assailant, Police Rescue Stabbing Victim At CNBC HQ Lot GOTCHA! Authorities Nab Accused Assailant, Police Rescue Stabbing Victim At CNBC HQ Lot
Gotcha! Authorities Nab Accused Assailant, Police Rescue Stabbing Victim At CNBC HQ Lot UPDATE: Authorities captured a man who stabbed a woman in the parking lot of CNBC corporate headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced. The 30-year-old victim was leaving the Sylvan Avenue (Route 9W) facility shortly after 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 14, when Harshkuma H. Patel, 29, of Piscataway, approached her in the parking lot, the prosecutor said. The accused assailant, who 'd previously been seen hanging around the area, tapped on the woman's car window in the CNBC parking lot, sources said. The victim, who didn't know Patel, opened the window, …
ATTEMPTED MURDER: Bergen Man Chokes, Tries To Sexually Assault Pre-Teen: Authorities ATTEMPTED MURDER: Bergen Man Chokes, Tries To Sexually Assault Pre-Teen: Authorities
Attempted Murder: Bergen Man Chokes, Tries To Sexually Assault Pre-Teen: Authorities A 33-year-old Ridgefield man choked a Fairview pre-teen “to the point of unconsciousness” and had removed both his and the incapacitated child's clothes before he was stopped, authorities said. Julio Amaro-Vasquez, who lives on Bergen Boulevard just off Oakdene Avenue, was charged with attempted murder, attempted aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, attempted sexual assault by contact and child endangerment. He wasn't the only person arrested in connection with the alleged incident, however. Amaro-Vasquez's girlfriend, Marlin Cervantes Santos, 30, of Fairview, “directed…
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-…
Dumont Mom Jailed For Abusing Kid: Prosecutor Dumont Mom Jailed For Abusing Kid: Prosecutor
Dumont Mom Jailed For Abusing Kid: Prosecutor A 46-year-old Dumont woman was jailed for physically abusing one of her children, authorities said. Stacey A. Wilmarth was arrested by Dumont police on Monday, June 3, in connection with allegations from a week earlier, records show. Detectives from Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella’s Special Victims Unit subsequently charged Wilmarth with aggravated assault and child endangerment. She remained held Tuesday in the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack. ****** ALSO SEE: A 48-year-old Fort Lee mom was charged with aggravated ma…
UPDATE: Mahwah Motorcyclist Rendered Amputee, Wrong-Way DWI Driver Charged With Assault By Auto UPDATE: Mahwah Motorcyclist Rendered Amputee, Wrong-Way DWI Driver Charged With Assault By Auto
Update: Mahwah Motorcyclist Rendered Amputee, Wrong-Way DWI Driver Charged With Assault By Auto A 67-year-old Florida man was intoxicated when his SUV crossed the double yellow line on a Mahwah road and hit a motorcyclist last weekend, costing the victim his foot and ankle, authorities said. Terence J. Cotter of Delray Beach was headed south on East Crescent Lane when his 2022 Volkswagen Taos crossed into the northbound lane and collided head-on with the motorcycle shortly after 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 2, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The rider, 58-year-old Paul Granados of Mahwah, was airlifted to Hackensack University Medical Center after being struck between Apple Ri…
UPDATE: Accused Public Masturbator From Englewood Jailed Again For Two Other Incidents UPDATE: Accused Public Masturbator From Englewood Jailed Again For Two Other Incidents
Update: Accused Public Masturbator From Englewood Jailed Again For Two Other Incidents A 34-year-old Englewood man who'd been arrested and released on charges of masturbating in front of a pre-teen was jailed again after authorities said they discovered at least two other alleged incidents. Dawid S. Iwaszek originally was arrested on May 25 for exposing himself and masturbating in front of a pre-teen in Englewood, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The prosecutor said at the time that detectives from his Special Victims Unit were continuing to investigate at least two previous incidents involving children in Englewood and Teaneck. They charg…
Kidnappers Who Demanded $680,000 Ransom For Fort Lee Man Get Up To 18 Years Without Release Kidnappers Who Demanded $680,000 Ransom For Fort Lee Man Get Up To 18 Years Without Release
Kidnappers Who Demanded $680,000 Ransom For Fort Lee Man Get Up To 18 Years Without Release 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Four men who kidnapped a Fort Lee man from his home and held him for a $680,000 ransom must serve from 12 to 18 years in federal prison before they'll be eligible for release. The harshest plea-bargained sentence went to Albert Ferrelli, 52, of Queens, who must serve nearly 18 years of a 250-month prison sentence before he'll be eligible for release, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Next was fellow Queens resident Chiahao Lee, 32, who must serve nearly 13 years of a 180-month stretch, the U.S. attorney said. They're followed by Gabriel Anthony, also of Queens, Sellinger…
GOTCHA! Gunman Who Terrorized Robbery Victims In Bergen, Passaic Captured In VA: Prosecutor GOTCHA! Gunman Who Terrorized Robbery Victims In Bergen, Passaic Captured In VA: Prosecutor
Gotcha! Gunman Who Terrorized Robbery Victims In Bergen, Passaic Captured In VA: Prosecutor 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A 24-year-old fugitive from Elmwood Park who was wanted for a terrifying armed robbery spree in Bergen and Passaic counties was captured in Virginia, authorities announced Wednesday. Husem Nasri pistol-whipped an attendant at a Valero station on northbound Route 17 near Route 46 in Hasbrouck Heights shortly before 3 p.m. Feb. 5, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Less 20 minutes later Nasri pointed a gun at an attendant who locked himself in the Delta station at Van Houten and Broad avenues in Clifton – also near Route 46, the prosecutor said. Nasri fled empty-handed both …
RECOGNIZE HIM? Authorities Believe Accused Public Masturbator From Englewood Struck Elsewhere RECOGNIZE HIM? Authorities Believe Accused Public Masturbator From Englewood Struck Elsewhere
Recognize HIM? Authorities Believe Accused Public Masturbator From Englewood Struck Elsewhere A 34-year-old Englewood man charged with masturbating in front of a pre-teen may have also done it elsewhere, authorities said following his arrest. Dawid S. Iwaszek “exposed himself and masturbated in public while in the presence of a juvenile under the age of 13” on Thursday, May 23, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The Polish-born Iwaszek was arrested on Saturday, charged with criminal sexual assault, child endangerment and lewdness and sent to the Bergen County Jail. A judge released him the next day pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensa…
Teaneck Woman Accused Of Hitting Child In Face With Device During Dispute Over Adultery: Report Teaneck Woman Accused Of Hitting Child In Face With Device During Dispute Over Adultery: Report
Teaneck Woman Accused Of Hitting Child In Face With Device During Dispute Over Adultery: Report A Teaneck woman hit a girl in the face with an Internet router, sending her to the hospital, during an argument over the adult’s alleged infidelities, authorities charged. The juvenile was bleeding from the nose and eye and required stitches after being struck by the device thrown by Katherine Pastor, 44, in the kitchen of her Sherwood Avenue home last Friday, May 24, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. The two had gotten into an argument over Pastor’s alleged infidelities, a Teaneck police complaint on file in Superior Court in Hackensack says. “The argument turned physical, but b…
UPDATE: Illegal Drug OD Kills 12-Year-Old Girl, Fort Lee Woman Charged UPDATE: Illegal Drug OD Kills 12-Year-Old Girl, Fort Lee Woman Charged
Update: Illegal Drug OD Kills 12-Year-Old Girl, Fort Lee Woman Charged UPDATE (May 31, 2024): A 48-year-old Fort Lee mom was charged with aggravated manslaughter for the drug overdose death of her 12-year-old daughter. Frances Caso was initially jailed on various child endangerment and drug possession charges after onetime child model Trinity Caso Perez overdosed on May 25. Further investigation led to the more serious charge, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said on Friday, May 31. Fort Lee police responding to a 3:34 p.m. call last Saturday found the lifeless child at Caso's Maple Street home. The youngster was pronounced dead soon after at Hackensack…
DUAL HOLIDAY TRAGEDIES: Young Girls Die Hours Apart In Bergen DUAL HOLIDAY TRAGEDIES: Young Girls Die Hours Apart In Bergen
Dual Holiday Tragedies: Young Girls Die Hours Apart In Bergen 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: An unresponsive 12-year-old girl from Fort Lee died at the hospital hours after a 14-year-old girl died suddenly in Ramsey. Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella confirmed the death of the Fort Lee youngster, whom he said was found unresponsive by first responders at a Maple Street residence shortly after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25. She was pronounced dead at Hackensack University Medical Center a short time later. Musella said detectives from his Major Crimes Unit and the Fort Lee Police Department are investigating the circumstances of her death, which he didn't characterize. Th…
Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teen In Elmwood Park Brought Back To Bergen From The Bronx Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teen In Elmwood Park Brought Back To Bergen From The Bronx
Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Teen In Elmwood Park Brought Back To Bergen From The Bronx Bergen County prosecutor’s detectives tracked down a Bronx man who they said sexually assaulted an underage girl in Elmwood Park several years ago. Jorge Sanchez, 38, became the target of an investigation following an allegation from the New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency late last month that he abused a victim between her 13th and 16th birthdays, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Detectives from Musella’s Special Victims Unit subsequently found that Sanchez penetrated the victim's vagina with his mouth and his hand between May 2020 and April 2021, a complain…
SEE ANYTHING? Glen Rock Basketball Court Shooting: Authorities Turn To Public For Help SEE ANYTHING? Glen Rock Basketball Court Shooting: Authorities Turn To Public For Help
SEE Anything? Glen Rock Basketball Court Shooting: Authorities Turn To Public For Help 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Unable to produce any solid suspects yet in the shooting of a 23-year-old Paterson man at an outdoor basketball court in Glen Rock, authorities turned to the public for help. What locals described as a larger-than-usual crowd at Wilde Memorial Park courts off Maple Avenue had gathered for what borough officials said was an unauthorized basketball tournament Tuesday evening, May 21. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., shots were fired. The victim was taken to St. Joseph's University Medical Center with a gunshot wound that responders said wasn't life-threatening. Nearly 24 hours later, Berg…
Remains Of Maywood Man Missing Since 1982 Found In Bergen Creek Remains Of Maywood Man Missing Since 1982 Found In Bergen Creek
Remains Of Maywood Man Missing Since 1982 Found In Bergen Creek The last time his buddies saw Charles Murphy, former World Series MVP Reggie Jackson had returned to the Bronx, hit a home run and helped the California Angels beat their beloved Yankees. That was 42 years ago. Decades passed, then Doug Bishop showed up. Bishop's name may be familiar to some, thanks to the acclaim the diver received for his help finding the remains in a South Jersey river late last week of a Camden woman who'd gone missing 14 years ago. That was actually a side trip of sorts. Bishop and his non-profit United Search Corps had brought their sonar to New Jersey fo…
Overdose Death Of Lodi Man, 62, Leads To SWAT Raid, Arrest Overdose Death Of Lodi Man, 62, Leads To SWAT Raid, Arrest
Overdose Death Of Lodi Man, 62, Leads To SWAT Raid, Arrest 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A Lodi man was jailed Tuesday in connection with the overdose death of a 62-year-old drug user last month from cocaine laced with fentanyl, authorities said. A Bergen County Regional SWAT team led a May 21 raid on the Victor Street apartment of Randy Lantigua, 25. The early-morning raid and arrest stem from an investigation into the death of James White of Lodi, who was found unresponsive from an overdose in the bedroom of his home on April 6, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Raised in Wood-Ridge, James Anthony White was a self-employed contract pain…
Home Invader Who Beat, Robbed Allendale Tenant ID'd As Passaic County Reoffender, 23 Home Invader Who Beat, Robbed Allendale Tenant ID'd As Passaic County Reoffender, 23
Home Invader Who Beat, Robbed Allendale Tenant ID'd As Passaic County Reoffender, 23 Authorities identified the assailant who beat and robbed an Allendale tenant at gunpoint two months ago of $900 in cash, pot and a bottle of booze as a violent repeat offender from Passaic County. Jahan A. Hendley, 23, of Clifton ambushed the victim outside his apartment shortly before 4 p.m. March 25, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Tuesday, May 21. Forcing him back inside, Hendley assaulted and robbed the victim – then pointed a gun at another civilian as he fled, the prosecutor said. Detectives didn’t have to go far to find Hendley. He'd been arrested in Passaic County in Ap…
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…