HURRICANE SANDY

In response to the anticipated conditions that Hurricane Sandy is predicted to bring to this area, the City of Clifton has activated its Office of Emergency Management. At this time, there are no travel restrictions, however, officials are urging all residents to seek shelter in their homes during this storm and to avoid all unneccessary travel - both pedestrian and vehicular. A shelter has been set up at the Senior Barn located off of Linzenbold Drive (within the municipal complex) and will be available to all residents whose homes have become uninhabitable or to anyone in need. Also, if necessary, Clifton City Hall is open and will remain accessible to those in need throughout the storm.

The Clifton Department of Public Works will be addressing issues involving clogged drains and downed trees. To report issues like these or any incidents of a non-emergent nature, contact 973-470-5911. The "911" system should only be utilized for true emergencies.

NEVER TOUCH ANY WIRE THAT HAS FALLEN TO THE GROUND. The Clifton Fire Deparment will be working in conjunction with PSE&G and will be responsible for dealing with these incidents in their entirety,

Stay tuned for additional updates via the Clifton Police Department Facebook and Twitter pages.

ARRESTS IN ARMED ROBBERY OF PHARMACY

On Thursday, August 9, 2012, Officer Steven Maza and Officer Sean Seabrooks conducted a motor vehicle stop on Rt 21 South in Clifton. The vehicle in question was a silver Mazda 6 containing four male parties from the cities of Newark and Irvington.  Further investigation during the stop, which was initially based upon equipment violations, led to a suspicion that possible contraband was present within the vehicle. As the investigation progressed, the officers located a loaded Beretta handgun (9mm) within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, along with various prescription medications that appeared to have been tampered with. Based upon these discoveries, all four occupants were placed under arrest; specifically, Terry Rouse (39) of Newark, Faquan Smith (23) of Irvington,  Rafael Clemons (25) of Irvington, and Otis Knight (49) of Newark.

Subsequent to being transported to headquarters, the officers learned that the recovered Beretta handgun was stolen out of Virginia in 2001. As a result of the investigation, all four parties were charged with multiple weapons and drug related offenses.

During processing, the names of the individuals were brought to the attention of detective personnel. Upon learning of their identities, detectives confirmed that three of the arrested parties, specifically Terry Rouse, Faquan Smith, and Rafael Clemons, were strong suspects in the armed robbery that occurred at the "Main Ave Pharmacy" (Clifton) on July 16, 2012. During that incident, four armed men entered the pharmacy at approximately 11:00 A.M. at which time they proceeded to pistol whip, mace, and bound one of the employees, while they forced a second employee at gunpoint to the back of the store. The suspects subsequently removed thousands of prescription legend drugs which included oxycodone, endocet, and codeine before fleeing in two separate vehicles.

Detective Michael Panepinto and Detective Michael Davey initiated the investigation into the incident and quickly developed a possible suspect, specifically, Terry Rouse. During the course of the next several weeks, these detectives participated in numerous surveillance operations within the cities of Newark and Irvington and conducted extensive computer related searches which yielded further information that eventually led to identifying Faquan Smith and Rafael Clemons as two additional suspects in the armed robbery.

Subsequent to these arrests, Detectives Panepinto and Davey conducted interviews, prepared search warrants, and seized two vehicles which were utilized during the armed robbery. By early the next morning, the detectives charged Terry Rouse, Faquan Smith, and Rafael Clemons with Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, and numerous weapons and drug related charges; all stemming from the robbery at the "Main Ave Pharmacy". Terry Rouse was additionally charged with "Certain Persons Prohibited from Possessing Weapons" -- based upon his extensive criminal history. Bail was set at $750,000 for Rouse and $500,000 respectively for Smith and Clemons.

The investigation is on-going.

P.O. Klementovich Incident

The Clifton  Police Department is shocked and saddened to learn of the unfortunate event that took place yesterday in Doylestown, Pennsylvania involving Clifton Police Officer, Richard Klementovich.

Richard Klementovich was hired by the Clifton Police Department on January 5, 1998. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Army (Airborne Divison) and is a veteran of the Gulf War. Officer Klementovich, a father of two, was assigned to the Patrol Division for nearly 15 years and was a decorated officer who received numerous commendations throughout his tenure with this agency.

In response to the events that transpired yesterday afternoon, members of this agency responded to the scene and worked in conjunction with Pennsylvania authorities throughout the ordeal. During the crisis, fellow Clifton officers were able to establish communication with Officer Klementovich and assisted in his eventual surrender. The department is extremely thankful that the situation ended without the loss of life or any serious injury.

At this time, the motive behind the incident is undetermined, however the investigation is on-going. Additional details will be made available as the investigation progresses.

Sex Offender Apprehended through DNA Database

On August 16, 2000 a 21-year-old female had just returned from visiting her mother in a neighboring town, when she exited a bus in the area of Lexington Avenue and Center Street.  The woman had begun walking toward her nearby residence.  Shortly thereafter, an unknown male approached her from behind and forcibly dragged her to a secluded area. He then sexually assaulted the woman.  The assailant ultimately fled the scene on foot; leaving the victim lying helplessly on the ground.

Clifton detectives immediately began to investigate the allegations and collected evidence in conjunction with forensic specialists. The evidence was transferred to the New Jersey State Police laboratory for examination, but yielded no immediate results.  During the next several years, detectives monitored the case, however the substantial amount of time that had passed from the date of the incident made the prospect of an arrest seem unlikely.

However, in February of 2012, detectives unexpectedly received notification that a DNA match was located from evidence confiscated during the investigation; indicating the possible involvement of a specific individual. 

This break in the case was facilitated through the use of the New Jersey State Police Combined DNA Index System, or "CODIS".  New Jersey law requires that certain persons, including sex offenders, submit a DNA sample upon arrest. 

With this new information, Detective Michael McLaughlin was assigned to the case and began to revisit the investigation in its entirety. After a lengthy search, Detective McLaughlin was able to locate the victim, who had relocated to another state. After reviewing the case and conferring with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office’ Special Victims Unit, Detective McLaughlin then began to search for the individual who was identified via the DNA "hit", specifically Derrick Chestnut (46 years old) of Paterson, NJ.

On Wednesday evening, May 23, 2012, Detective McLaughlin along with members of the Clifton Police Detective Bureau, apprehended the Mr. Chestnut in the City of Paterson on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Kidnapping, and Criminal Restraint; all stemming from the incident in August of 2000. The suspect was subsequently conveyed to the Clifton Police Department where he was processed and bail was set by the Honorable Raymond A. Reddin at one million dollars.

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be available as it progresses.

MV Pursuit/Arrests

Earlier today, at approximately 4:30 A.M., Officer Nigel Gough and Officer Mohammad Droubi were tending to a situation when they observed two suspicious vehicles (Honda Civics) traveling on Clifton Avenue in the vicinity of Second Street.

Officer Droubi left the scene to investigate and followed the vehicles in question to the 7-11 parking lot (849 Clifton Avenue). At that time, the drivers of both vehicles apparently observed the officer and responded by exiting the parking lot at a high rate of speed. In response, Officer Droubi attempted to stop the vehicles, however both drivers refused to pull over. A vehicle pursuit ensued and continued on Van Houten Avenue past City Hall and eventually onto Route 19 North, where a Passaic County Sheriff's Officer joined in the pursuit. The suspect vehicles continued to accelerate on Route 19 to speeds in excess of 90 m.ph., Due the heavy rain conditions at that time, the officers had no choice but to reduce their speeds out of concern for the safety of innocent motorists. In turn, this caused a large gap between the police and suspect vehicles. As the officers came upon  the end of Route 19 North in the City of Paterson, they found that both vehicles had crashed near the bottom of the ramp. The officers immediately observed both suspects fleeing on foot toward Grand Street. A foot pursut ensued and the suspects were able to escape into the Grand Street area.

In response, a perimeter was established by other responding Clifiton and Sheriff's Department units and Sheriff's K-9 was subsequently utilized in an attempt to locate where the suspects were hiding. After a lengthy and thorough search of the area, both suspects were located by K-9 "Axel" in the rear of a used car parking lot off Grand Street. They were taken into custody and conveyed to Clifton Police Headquarters. Both vehicles were determined to be stolen from the City of Paterson.

The juveniles, both residents of Paterson, were subsequently charged with Eluding, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Weapon (knife), and a multitude of motor vehicle violations. The juveniles were processed and remanded to the Essex County Detention Center in Newark, NJ.

FIGHT/AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ARREST

On Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at approximately 2:45 P.M., Clifton patrol officers came upon a fight in progress between two female, high school students in the vicinity of 714 Clifton Avenue. As the officers intervened, the 15 year old boyfriend of one of the involved combatants, lunged at the officers numerous times. After being pushed away repeatedly, the individual continued to physically interfere with the police officers as they were in the process of breaking up the fight. The officers then attempted to place the individual under arrest, however he physically resisted; ultimately causing the altercation to enter the roadway (Clifton Avenue). After a lengthy struggle that took place in traffic, the suspect was eventually placed under arrest. 

Subsequent to his arrest, the suspect continued with his belligerent and aggressive behavior toward officers. Upon arrival at police headquarters, the suspect began to spit on the floors of the police department, refusing to comply with officers in the booking area.
The suspect was later charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault (on police), multiple counts of Resisting Arrest, one count of Obstruction of a Govenmental Function, and two counts of Criminal Mischief. He was later remanded to the Essex County Detention Center in Newark, NJ

Liquor Store Robbery

Earlier today, at approximately 9:15 AM, two men entered the "Wine Country" liquor store located at 519 Piaget Avenue, Clifton, and commited an armed robbery. One of the suspects wore a ski mask and was in possession of a handgun, while the second suspect wore a hood over a portion of his head. Upon entry, the masked suspect approached the cash register area, pointed the weapon at an employee and proceeded to pistol whip him numerous times about the face. Meanwhile, the second suspect locked the front doors and acted as a "lookout". The suspects subsequently removed cash and liquor from the store and fled the scene on foot toward Luddington Avenue. Numerous police personnel responded to the scene and conducted a thorough search of the area with the assistance of K-9, however the suspects were unable to be located.

The subsequent retrieval of video surveillance from the scene revealed that the masked suspect was approximately 5'9" in height, with a heavy build. The second suspect is believed to be of Hispanic descent, with a thin to medium build. Both suspects wore dark colored pants and gray, hooded sweathshirts.

The employee sustained injuries to his head and was conveyed to a local hospital for treatment.

See the video of the crime as well as still images of the actors below. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @ 973-470-5908 or the Clifton Police Communications Center @ 973-470-5911 (24 hours a day). Callers can remain anonymous.