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Passaic Police Department

ID Of Tow Truck Operator Killed By Passing Car On Route 19 Released ID Of Tow Truck Operator Killed By Passing Car On Route 19 Released
ID Of Tow Truck Operator Killed By Passing Car On Route 19 Released A tow truck operator was killed by a passing vehicle on Route 19 over the weekend, authorities said. Manuel Perez, 64, was trying to hook another vehicle to his truck on the southbound side of the highway when he was struck by a Toyota sedan that then struck the tow truck and overturned around 11:40 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at milepost 2-3,  Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Perez was pronounced dead and the driver of the Toyota was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. This investigation is active and ongoing. More information will be released when…
Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Car On Route 21: Prosecutor Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Car On Route 21: Prosecutor
Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Car On Route 21: Prosecutor A pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle along Route 21 in Passaic on Tuesday, Oct. 22, authorities said. The unidentified male was struck by an Acura sedan while trying to cross the roadway in the northbound lanes around 8:05 p.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Department Chief Luis A. Guzman said. The victim was taken to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 8:50 p.m. The driver of the vehicle that struck the victim remained on scene and called 911. This investigation is active and ongoing. More i…
Girl Rushed To Firehouse In Passaic Shooting Survives, Prosecutor Says Girl Rushed To Firehouse In Passaic Shooting Survives, Prosecutor Says
Girl Rushed To Firehouse In Passaic Shooting Survives, Prosecutor Says A juvenile was hospitalized in a shooting Thursday night, Aug. 15 in Passaic, authorities said. The juvenile, who sources identified as a female, was driven to the Westside Firehouse after being shot on Monroe and Grove streets just before 11:50 p.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said. Then girl was then rushed to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center for treatment for a non-fatal gunshot wound. Her condition was not immediately released. The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it beco…
Sudden Death Of Passaic Police Officer, Mayor's Nephew Brian Lora Stuns Community Sudden Death Of Passaic Police Officer, Mayor's Nephew Brian Lora Stuns Community
Passaic Police Officer Brian Lora Obituary The sudden death of a 29-year-old Passaic police officer has spread shock and sadness through multiple communities. Brian Lora, a Passaic police officer and Belleville resident, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 29, his department said. "Officer Lora's tenure was marked by unwavering loyalty, exemplary work ethic, fearless commitment to duty, and steadfast adherence to the highest principles of law enforcement," the Passaic Police Department said. "The entire community mourns the loss of Officer Brian Lora, a true exemplar of duty and service." Lora served in the School Resource Division …
SEE ANYTHING? Grandmother Of 13 Struck Crossing Passaic Street Dies, Hit-And-Run Driver Sought SEE ANYTHING? Grandmother Of 13 Struck Crossing Passaic Street Dies, Hit-And-Run Driver Sought
SEE Anything? Grandmother Of 13 Struck Crossing Passaic Street Dies, Hit-And-Run Driver Sought A grandmother of 13 died from injuries that she suffered when she was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Passaic a day and a half earlier, authorities confirmed. Meanwhile, her killer remained unidentified. Rachel McNeil, 58, was struck at the intersection of Passaic and Aycrigg avenues at 11:13 p.m. Wednesday, April 10. The driver kept going. McNeil died shortly after noontime Friday, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Department Chief Luis A. Guzman said in a joint release. McNeil, who worked at St. Mary's General Hospital not far from where she was s…
GOTCHA! Fugitive, 77, In 1997 Passaic Stabbing Captured After 26½ Years On Run GOTCHA! Fugitive, 77, In 1997 Passaic Stabbing Captured After 26½ Years On Run
Gotcha! Fugitive, 77, In 1997 Passaic Stabbing Captured After 26½ Years On Run Ramon Siri ducked authorities for 26½ years after they pegged him as the assailant who stabbed another man in a Passaic apartment in 1997. Then he slipped up. The city resident was arrested without incident late Tuesday afternoon, March 19, after authorities got a tip that he was back in town, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman announced Friday. Siri remained held in the Bergen County Jail, charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and illegal weapons possession. Witnesses at the time said the unidentified victim was stabbed below t…
ARMED ROBBERY RAMPAGE: 3rd NJ Man Named In Violent Holdups ARMED ROBBERY RAMPAGE: 3rd NJ Man Named In Violent Holdups
Armed Robbery Rampage: 3rd NJ Man Named In Violent Holdups A third man who authorities said was involved in a terrifying string of armed robberies in Passaic County has been identified. Kareem Powell, 30, of Willingboro, was arrested by federal agents on Tuesday, Nov. 21, in connection with the August 2022 holdups, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Wednesday. He joins Carlos Diaz and Edward Porter, both 30 of Paterson, who’ve been in federal custody since last December. A new indictment names Powell while boosting the charges against the other two. The masked trio menaced customers with semiautomatic handguns -- ordering them to lie …
HORRIFIC: Passaic Man Charged With Abducting, Raping, Beating Young Girl HORRIFIC: Passaic Man Charged With Abducting, Raping, Beating Young Girl
Horrific: Passaic Man Charged With Abducting, Raping, Beating Young Girl Holding her against her will, a 22-year-old Passaic man repeatedly sexually assaulted and beat a child, authorities charged. Stiven Peralta “sexually assaulted and repeatedly physically assaulted a child at a residence in Passaic, restraining the child when she attempted to leave the residence,” Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said Authorities seized Peralta near the corner of Washington Place and Columbia Avenue shortly after 12:30 a.m. last Wednesday, Sept. 13, they said. He remained held Monday in the Bergen County Jail. The Dominica…
UPDATE: Passaic Escapee In Clifton Parental Abduction Surrenders UPDATE: Passaic Escapee In Clifton Parental Abduction Surrenders
Update: Passaic Escapee In Clifton Parental Abduction Surrenders UPDATE: A young dad from Passaic who escaped after being charged with parental abduction ended a manhunt when he surrendered late Monday, authorities confirmed. Isaiah Felix, 20, of Passaic had been arrested by Clifton police and charged with unlawfully entering a residence in town and taking his young son without permission on Sunday, July 2. Felix was arrested without incident after police found him with the boy at a relative's home a short time later, law enforcement sources told Daily Voice. The child wasn't in any danger, they said. Officers who took Felix to the Passaic County Jail …
PRISONER ESCAPES: Passaic Dad, 20, Accused In Abduction Captured PRISONER ESCAPES: Passaic Dad, 20, Accused In Abduction Captured
Prisoner Escapes: Passaic Dad, 20, Accused In Abduction Captured UPDATE: A young dad from Passaic who escaped after being charged with parental abduction ended a manhunt when he surrendered late Monday, authorities confirmed. Isaiah Felix, 20, of Passaic had been arrested by Clifton police and charged with unlawfully entering a residence in town and taking his young son without permission on Sunday, July 2. Felix was arrested without incident after police found him with the boy at a relative's home a short time later, law enforcement sources told Daily Voice. The child wasn't in any danger, they said. Officers who took Felix to the Passaic County Jail h…
.44 Magnum Recovered From Violent Ex-Con Shot By Passaic Police: Prosecutor .44 Magnum Recovered From Violent Ex-Con Shot By Passaic Police: Prosecutor
.44 Magnum Recovered From Violent Ex-Con Shot By Passaic Police: Prosecutor UPDATE: A violent ex-con who’d fired several shots into the air from a .44 Magnum was brought down by a Passaic police officer last week after he pointed the powerful pistol at the officer's partner, authorities said. Jason Urban, 42, of Passaic was carrying the revolver made famous by Clint Eastwood’s character in the movie “Dirty Harry” when officers responding to a call of shots fired at Lackawanna Place and Passaic Avenue near the city train station found him shortly before 6:30 p.m. May 10, they said. Urban “fired several rounds from the handgun into the air,” Passaic County Prosecuto…
UPDATE: Gunman Shot By Police In Passaic Expected To Survive UPDATE: Gunman Shot By Police In Passaic Expected To Survive
Update: Gunman Shot By Police In Passaic Expected To Survive UPDATE: State authorities signaled their faith Thursday that the wounding of an armed man by a Passaic police officer on Wednesday was what everyone involved agrees was a clean shoot. A mandatory review of the incident that is required of New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has been left in the hands of Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, the prosecutor herself said on Thursday, May 11. Officers responding to a call of a man shooting a gun in the area of Passaic Avenue and Lackawanna Place near the train station encountered the suspect shortly before 6:30 p.m. May 10, Pass…
Overnight Fire Destroys Contents Of Passaic Shop Overnight Fire Destroys Contents Of Passaic Shop
Overnight Fire Destroys Contents Of Passaic Shop UPDATE: An overnight fire destroyed the contents of an interior design, upholstery and dress shop in Passaic. A passing Passaic police officer spotted smoke coming from Cortinas Extravaganza on Jefferson Street around 3 a.m. Thursday, April 27. Firefighters who subsequently cut their way in through a security gate and accessed the building through sidewalk basement doors were met by flames that had begun to die down. All that remained were small pockets of flame -- and all-but-complete interior damage. The overnight fire destroyed the contents of Cortinas Extravaganza -- an interior d…
Passaic County Man Convicted Of $80,000 Back-To-Back Bank Robberies Passaic County Man Convicted Of $80,000 Back-To-Back Bank Robberies
Passaic County Man Convicted Of $80,000 Back-To-Back Bank Robberies A Passaic County man was convicted by a federal jury of robbing two area banks just weeks apart. Jurors found Jose Soto, 52, of Passaic guilty of robbing a PNC branch in Passaic of $35,000 and a Valley National Bank in Little Falls of $45,000 following a six-day trial in U.S. District Court in Newark. They also convicted Soto of conspiring with a Paterson man to commit the holdups and brandishing a firearm. Soto pointed a silver and black gun at customers and employees at the Main Street Valley National branch in Little Falls on Feb. 27, 2020, authorities said. His accomplice, Nicholas Or…
Sudden Death Of Passaic Police Officer Shakes Community Sudden Death Of Passaic Police Officer Shakes Community
Sudden Death Of Passaic Police Officer Shakes Community He was a local boy made good, one who served the community proudly. That's why the death of Passaic Police Sgt. Ralph Merced wasn't only sudden. Merced (Badge #339) died early Sunday, Aug. 7. He was 42 years old. His heartbroken mother, Iris, called her son's death "senseless." "I will love you forever my sweet child," she wrote on Sunday. "Mommy loves you forever and ever. Forever 42. Til we meet again." The Passaic High School graduate's service with his city's police department was "characterized by loyalty, fearless performance of duty, and faithful devotion to the highest principals…
UPDATE: Body Found In NJ River Tentatively ID'd, Probe Begun, Following Police Chase UPDATE: Body Found In NJ River Tentatively ID'd, Probe Begun, Following Police Chase
Update: Body Found In NJ River Tentatively ID'd, Probe Begun, Following Police Chase UPDATE: Authorities on Thursday tentatively identified a man whose body was recovered from a New Jersey river following a police chase. They also officially acknowledged that the incident was being investigated. The announcement follows a story by Daily Voice exploring the circumstances that led to the death of Thadius Wilder, a 35-year-old father of five from Passaic whose body apparently was in the water for two days before it was discovered. Wilder’s body was removed from the Passaic River below Route 21 after kayakers spotted it around 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, City of Passaic Police Chief…
Sheriff’s K-9 Sniffs Out Fleeing Offender Who Tried Hiding In Vacant Garfield Building Ductwork Sheriff’s K-9 Sniffs Out Fleeing Offender Who Tried Hiding In Vacant Garfield Building Ductwork
Sheriff’s K-9 Sniffs Out Fleeing Offender Who Tried Hiding In Vacant Garfield Building Ductwork A repeat offender bolted from Garfield police but was tracked down by a K-9 and removed with the help of firefighters after he tried hiding inside the ductwork of an abandoned building, authorities said. Officers Richy Mendez and Jaroslaw Wdowiak were responding to a resident’s car burglary call when they spotted city resident Jayden M. Barbarino Costa, 18, in the backyard of the victim’s Van Winkle Avenue home shortly before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Capt. Richard Uram said. Costa hopped several fences with the officers in pursuit. A perimeter was quickly established with help from Passaic poli…
Police: Just-Released Convict From Passaic Nabbed With Gun, Heroin For Sale, Torches Cell Police: Just-Released Convict From Passaic Nabbed With Gun, Heroin For Sale, Torches Cell
Police: Just-Released Convict From Passaic Nabbed With Gun, Heroin For Sale, Torches Cell Adonis Reyes had been free all of six weeks after serving 2½ years in state prison for a gun conviction when Passaic police investigating a shooting caught him with a loaded handgun and 265 heroin folds this past weekend, authorities said. Not only that: Reyes, 28, set fire to the holding cell at Passaic police headquarters and assaulted a city officer and EMT who tried to help him, they said. Police responding to a report of shots fired in the area of Main Avenue and Washington Place found Reyes in the passenger seat of a nearby motor vehicle shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, April 24, investi…
One Confirmed Dead As Smoky Fire Consumes Passaic Restaurant One Confirmed Dead As Smoky Fire Consumes Passaic Restaurant
One Confirmed Dead As Smoky Fire Consumes Passaic Restaurant A woman was confirmed dead in a fire Wednesday afternoon that devoured a Dominican restaurant in Passaic. She was 58 years old and lived in a two-bedroom rear apartment of Santo Domingo Invita on Passaic Street where the fire originated, Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said. Flames blew through the roof of the 1½ -story brick building after the fire ignited shortly before 3:30 p.m. Firefighters had the main body of the blaze knocked down in under an hour but continued battling flame pockets. It was then that they discovered the victim's remains amid the debris. "The medical examiner responded t…
Child, 4, Among Five Shot At Backyard Party In Passaic Child, 4, Among Five Shot At Backyard Party In Passaic
Child, 4, Among Five Shot At Backyard Party In Passaic A 4-year-old child was one of five people wounded when two men started shooting at an overnight backyard party in Passaic, authorities said. City police responding shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday reported finding the child, along with two women – one 21 from Passaic, the other 25 from Newark – and a 29-year-old Newark man all wounded by gunfire. They been struck at a home near the corner of Lafayette and Howe avenues “when two unknown gunmen opened fire,” Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said in a joint release. All four were taken to St. Jos…
Police: Prostitute, Accomplices Nabbed After Robbing John With Shotgun, Bat At Wayne Hotel Police: Prostitute, Accomplices Nabbed After Robbing John With Shotgun, Bat At Wayne Hotel
Police: Prostitute, Accomplices Nabbed After Robbing John With Shotgun, Bat At Wayne Hotel A would-be customer who thought he was patronizing a prostitute at a Wayne motel got robbed, instead, after the hooker let in a pair of armed companions – all of whom were later caught, authorities said. The victim told police he’d met a woman at the Days Inn on Route 23 “for the purpose of paying her for sex,” Detective Capt. Dan Daly said Tuesday. Soon after she arrived, there was a knock at the door, he said. The woman opened the door and let in another woman, who was carrying a bag, and a man who was carrying a guitar case, the victim told police. Both were wearing hoods and masks, he…
Passaic Teen’s Accused Murderer ID’d Passaic Teen’s Accused Murderer ID’d
Passaic Teen’s Accused Murderer ID’d UPDATE: Civilians helped Passaic police capture a 21-year-old city man accused of gunning down a local teen beneath a Route 21 overpass, authorities said. The city Police Intelligence Unit and Detective Bureau, in tandem with the Patrol Division and Special Investigations Division united, "fielded leads directly from the community" that led directly to Philip Sparrow, Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said. City police arrested Sparrow – and recovered the suspected murder weapon – during an 8 p.m. traffic stop Tuesday on Paulison Avenue, authorities said. They stopped the vehicle on Pauliso…
Authorities: Accused Gunman Captured In Daytime Shooting Death Of Passaic Teen Authorities: Accused Gunman Captured In Daytime Shooting Death Of Passaic Teen
Authorities: Accused Gunman Captured In Daytime Shooting Death Of Passaic Teen UPDATE: With significant help from the community, Passaic police arrested a 21-year-old man who they believe shot and killed a city teen beneath a Route 21 overpass Tuesday afternoon. Responding officers had found Amar Sultan, 18, with several gunshot wounds on Madison Street near Vreeland Avenue shortly after 2 p.m. He'd been struck in the abdomen, responders told Daily Voice. Sultan was taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Passaic, where he was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said in a joint r…
Young Man Shot Dead In Passaic Young Man Shot Dead In Passaic
Young Man Shot Dead In Passaic UPDATE: Civilians helped Passaic police capture a 21-year-old city man accused of gunning down a local teen beneath a Route 21 overpass, authorities said. The city Police Intelligence Unit and Detective Bureau, in tandem with the Patrol Division and Special Investigations Division united, "fielded leads directly from the community" that led directly to Philip Sparrow, Passaic Mayor Hector Carlos Lora said. City police arrested Sparrow – and recovered the suspected murder weapon – during an 8 p.m. traffic stop Tuesday on Paulison Avenue, authorities said. They stopped the vehicle on Pauliso…
Passaic Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Two Children Passaic Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Two Children
Passaic Man Charged With Sexually Abusing Two Children A Passaic man was charged with sexually abusing two children before he turned 18. Authorities began investigating after an employee at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Clifton reported that a 13-year-old student had been sexually abused in the past, authorities said. Detectives from the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Special Victims Unit and Passaic Police Department interviewed several witnesses and determined that the defendant had sexually abused two children at two different residences in Passaic, county Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said in a joint re…
DWI Clubgoer Hits Passaic Police Car, Parked Vehicles, People, Authorities Say DWI Clubgoer Hits Passaic Police Car, Parked Vehicles, People, Authorities Say
DWI Clubgoer Hits Passaic Police Car, Parked Vehicles, People, Authorities Say A drunken patron was arrested after his sedan slammed into a Passaic police car and two other vehicles as left a local nightclub, authorities said. Four pedestrians claimed they also were hit by the 2002 Toyota Camry outside the Fiesta Night Club on President Street shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Police Chief Luis Guzman said. All four left, however, before ambulances got there or police could get any information from them, he said. Officers assigned to make sure closing time went smoothly heard a loud crash and spotted the Camry, driven by city resident Nicholas Martinez, 21, Guzman sai…
Passaic Man, 47, Admits Molesting Underage Teen In Car, Eligible For Parole In 2½ Years Passaic Man, 47, Admits Molesting Underage Teen In Car, Eligible For Parole In 2½ Years
Passaic Man, 47, Admits Molesting Underage Teen In Car, Eligible For Parole In 2½ Years A Passaic man will be eligible for parole after serving 2½ years in state prison after he admitted sexually assaulting a 14-year-old victim in the back seat of his car. Luis Pizarro, 47, was arrested in November 2019 after city police responded to a tipster’s call of suspicious activity in a local parking lot a month earlier, authorities said. Detectives interviewed several witnesses, including the victim, who corroborated the report, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said in a joint announcement. Passaic County Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa…
Shooter Who Wounded Two Men Outside Passaic Takeout Restaurant Was Boy, 15, Authorities Say Shooter Who Wounded Two Men Outside Passaic Takeout Restaurant Was Boy, 15, Authorities Say
Shooter Who Wounded Two Men Outside Passaic Takeout Restaurant Was Boy, 15, Authorities Say UPDATE: A 15-year-old boy fired gunshots from across the street into a crowd on a Passaic street, injuring two men, this past New Year’s Eve, authorities said following his capture. One of the victims, a 21-year-old city man, was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center following the afternoon shooting on Monroe Street near Myrtle Avenue. The second victim, 24, arrived at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic via private vehicle and was transferred to St. Joe's in stable condition, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman said in a joint announcement…
Authorities: 74-Year-Old Man Shot In Passaic Authorities: 74-Year-Old Man Shot In Passaic
Authorities: 74-Year-Old Man Shot In Passaic A 74-year-old Passaic man was shot on New Year's Day, authorities said. Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis A. Guzman didn't explain the circumstances other than to say that police responding to a 9:42 p.m. shooting Friday "were able to locate a crime scene and the victim." He was taken to St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center and was reported in stable condition, Valdes and Guzman said. They didn't say whether any suspects were arrested or identified. Law enforcement sources said detectives were reviewing surveillance video as part of an investigation…
Passaic Police Officer Injured In Crash Passaic Police Officer Injured In Crash
Passaic Police Officer Injured In Crash A Passaic police officer was hospitalized after a crash that toppled a utility pole. "Thankfully it's a one-car accident and the officer is doing well," Deputy Police Chief Jonathan Schaer said after Friday night's crash at Main Avenue and Prospect Street. "We expect his injuries to be minor and that he'll make a full recovery." The busy intersection remained closed while the crash was investigated and repairs were made. The wrecked city police SUV was towed. Specifics about the crash, including the cause, won't be available until the investigation was completed, authorities said. "He is…
ROUTE 21 CRASH: Paterson Driver, 18, Ejected, Killed, Passenger Clings To Life ROUTE 21 CRASH: Paterson Driver, 18, Ejected, Killed, Passenger Clings To Life
Route 21 Crash: Paterson Driver, 18, Ejected, Killed, Passenger Clings To Life UPDATE: An 18-year-old Paterson man was killed in a horrific crash Friday night that ejected him onto the other side of Route 21 in Passaic, responders said.  His passenger, who they said also was ejected, remained hospitalized Saturday, according to authorities. Jasdanny Villalta was driving a 2011 Honda Accord that collided with a 2016 Chevy Silverado driven by a 49-year-old Plainfield man on the northbound highway near Exit 11B shortly before 10:30 p.m., Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic Police Chief Luis Guzman said Saturday afternoon. Villalta was pronounced…