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.

ARREST: Fatal Hit and Run

After an investigation that lasted nearly three weeks, the Clifton Police Department Traffic Division, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, have made an arrest in the fatal hit and run accident that took the lives of two pedestrians on March 17, 2012 at the intersection of Rt.46 East and 7th Street.

 

As the investigation progressed, investigators were able to piece together certain remnants of the suspect vehicle; which ultimately confirmed that the vehicle in question was a 2002-2005 Cadillac Escalade, black in color. Subsequent to obtaining this information, investigators compiled a data base of every Cadillac Escalade (2002-2005) registered in the State of New Jersey and were eventually able to narrow the list down to certain vehicles registered within the immediate area. On Saturday, March 31, 2012, investigators located what appeared to be the suspect vehicle at a body shop in Newark, NJ. Over the next few days, investigators obatained search warrants, seized evidence (including the 2003 Cadillac Escalade in question) and ultimately drafted criminal charges against the registered owner of the vehicle and alleged driver of same during the fatal accident, Jason Askew (42) of Paterson, NJ.

 

Late yesterday afternoon, investigators arrested Askew on two (2) counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident, two (2) counts of Endangering an Injured Victim, Tampering with Evidence, and Hindering Apprehension. Askew was transported to Clifton Police Headquarters where he was processed and held on $250,000 (no 10%) bail.

 

The investigation was conducted by Clifton Police Officers Brian Fopma, William Bais, and Sgt. Michael Bienkowski, as well as Detective Tim McConnell from the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.  The Clifton Police Department would like to thank the Passaic County Sheriff's Department Crime Scene Unit for their help with the processing of the suspect vehicle.