ROBBERY

Last night, at approximately 11:50 P.M., a 28 year old Clifton man was accosted by two male suspects after they began chasing him on foot from the area of Parker Avenue and Center Street. The victim eventually tripped and fell to the ground near the intersection of Center and Arthur Streets at which time both suspects began to physically assault him. The suspects searched the victim's pockets in an attempt to remove personal belongings; however, it was later determined that they were unsuccessful in doing so. The victim sustained injury to his facial area and was later transported home by responding patrol officers. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @973-470-5908.

BURGLARY ARRESTS

On January 28, 2012, at approximately 2:00 PM, Officers Berkenbush and Lawson arrested two Clifton juveniles after they were caught breaking into vehicles on Styertowne Road. The juveniles broke windows on numerous vehicles and were in the process of removing proceeds from same when the owner of the business returned to the premises and caught them in the act. The property owner was able to detain the juveniles until the arrival of police.

The juveniles were later interviewed by Detectives Kazimir and Kaminski of the Juvenile Bureau in regard to outstanding vehicle burglaries that had been occurring to businesses in that general vicinity. Based on these interviews, the detectives were able to solve several burlgaries that occurred on Somerset Place, Speer Avenue, and Somerset Avenue during the past few weeks. Substantial damage was committed upon many of these vehicles during these incidents and a variety of proceeds were taken; some of which were later recovered by detectives. In addition, detectives were able to link these individuals to a factory burglary that occurred on Samworth Road on December 27, 2011.

The 14 year old suspects (one male, one female) were ultimately charged with numerous counts of Burglary, Theft, and Criminal Mischief.

BURGLARY ARREST

On January 28, 2012, at approximately 10:15 PM, an elderly female was home alone on Major Street (Clifton) when she heard a noise in the basement of her residence. While investigating the source, she encountred an unknown male party exiting the basement. After being detected, the suspect fled from the house. After receiving a 9-1-1 call from the elderly victim, officers began searching the area extensively; however, were initally unsuccessful in locating the suspect. A short time later, Officer Steven Maza and Officer David Roe observed a suspicious male walking briskly on Van Houten Avenue toward the City of Passaic. The officers detained the individual, later identified as Kenneth Fierro (52) of Paterson, and questioned him as to his actions on that particular night. Fierro was evasive and unable to account for his whereabouts prior to the stop.  It was learned that Fierro had warrants outstanding and as a result, he was placed under arrest and conveyed to police headquarters. Subsequent to his arrest, officers located a knife and women's jewelry on Fierro's person.

At headquarters, Fierro was interrogated by D/Lt. Michael Sweeney, Detective Michael McLaughlin, and Detective Michael Davey as to his possible involvement in the burglary on Major Street. During the interrogation, Fierro confessed to committing the act in question and repeatedly stated that he was "sorry". It was determined that the jewelry found in Fierro's possession was in fact stolen during the incident and belonged to the elderly victim. The jewelry was later returned to the victim.

Fierro was charged with Burglary and Theft and was eventually transported to the Passaic County Jail where he remains at this time.

CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONTACT ARREST

Yesterday, at approximatley 7:30 P.M., a 30 year old female was standing near the pharmacy counter at the "Walgreens" on Main Avenue when an unknown male approached her from behind and began to rub his genitals against her buttocks. The suspect then fled the store in an unknown direction. At that time, Officer Kling was in the process of patrolling the area when he was notified of the incident by the victim.  A few blocks away, Officer Kling located a possible suspect walking toward the City of Passaic  In response, Officer Kling attempted to detain him, however, the individual refused to comply. The suspect responded by shedding his outer garments (jacket and sweatshirt) and running away from the officer. A foot pursuit ensued and numerous officers responded to assist. The suspect managed to elude the officers initially, however, after conducting a throrough search of the area, Officer Kling ultimately located the suspect hiding under a staircase near Madison Avenue. Officer Kling, along with back-up officers, ordered the suspect to come out from the staircase. The suspect initially complied, but became combative once he was told he was under arrest. The suspect continued to resist arrest, causing officers to become involved in a lengthy physical altercation; which eventually culminated into a successful apprehension. The suspect, later identified as Christian Acevedo (30) of Passaic, was identified as the individual responsible for the sexual contact incident and was charged with "Criminal Sexual Contact", "Resisting Arrest by Flight", and "Obstruction of Justice".

ARMED ROBBERY ARRESTS

Today, at approximately 12:30 A.M., a 47 year old Wayne resident was robbed while aboard a "jitney" bus.  The victim boarded the bus in New York City and remained on-board as the bus entered the City of Clifton. At the intersection of Main Avenue and Union Avenue, three male parties entered the bus and sat down near the victim. One of the individuals displayed a black colored handgun and demanded the victim's cash and I-Pod. In response, the victim stood up, ran toward the bus driver and began to plead with him to stop the bus. The bus driver complied and the victim exited the bus on Main Avenue near the Washington Avenue intersection. Upon exiting, the victim ran toward an approaching police car in a frantic state and advised the officer of what had transpired. At that point, the bus had already begun traveling toward the City of Paterson. Officer Suhey immediately started to search the area and ultimately located the bus in question on Main Avenue near West Third Street. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on the bus and during that time, Officer Suhey located the three suspects as they tried to flee from the interior of the bus. and was able to successfully detain them until back-up officers arrived.

It was subsequently confirmed that all three suspects were involved in the robbery. As a result, they were placed under arrest and conveyed to police headquarters. In addition, the imitation firearm utilized in the incident was located on the floor of the bus after it had been apparently discarded by one of the suspects prior to their attempted flight from same. The suspects were ultimately charged with "Criminal Attempt to Commit Armed Robbery", "Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery" and "Possession of an Imitation Firearm".

The identities of the arrested individuals are as follows:
1) Nathaniel Dickson (21) of Paterson
2) Franco Carrera (18) of Paterson
3) Giancarlo Rodriguez (18) of Paterson

ARMED ROBBERY

At approximately 1:20 A.M. today, a 26 year old Clifton resident was robbed at gunpoint on Lasalle Avenue. The victim reportedly had met an individual on "Craigslist" recently and agreed to purchase numerous electronic devices from him. Both the victim and the seller decided to meet to solidify the deal early this morning. When the victim was approaching the prearranged meeting location, an African American male party jumped out from behind nearby shrubs and brandished a handgun. The suspect pointed the weapon at the victim and demanded "the money". After the victim turned over a large sum of cash, the suspect further demanded his cellular phone and jewelry. The victim complied and the suspect subsequently fled the scene on foot.

The suspect was described as a being approximatley 6;2" in height and was wearing a black and white colored "Yankees" cap, a light grey sweatshirt, and dark colored pants.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @ 973-470-5908.

ROBBERY

Last night, at approximately 5:30 P.M., a 14 year old boy was robbed by two male parties as he walked home from Christopher Columbus Middle School. The victim intially observed the suspects in the parking lot of the school as he was leaving. Unbeknownst to him, the suspects began following him as he walked toward the library and ultimately confronted him on Main Avenue near the intersection of Washington Avenue. After the suspects surrounded the victim, Suspect #1 (see descripition below), persuaded him to hand over all cash and electronic devices on his person. Fearing for his safety, the victim complied and turned over a cellular phone, I-Pod, and cash to the suspects. The suspects subsequently fled the scene (on foot) toward Piaget Avenue.

Suspect # 1 was described as a Hispanic male, approximately 18 years of age, with a thin build and was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt. Suspect # 2 was described as a Hispainc male, short in height, approximately 20 years of age, with a medium build and was wearing a denim jacket. Suspect # 3 was described as a Hispanic male, approximately 23 years of age, with a medium build, side-burns and was wearng a dark blue sweater.

The incident occurred in view of motorists and pedestrians alike and could have been mistaken for a friendly encounter. The suspects in this incident may be responsible for a robbery that occurred during the first week of December (2011). Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or any other suspicious act occurring in this vicinity, is urged to contact Detective Bermudez of the Clifton Police Juvenile Division at 973-470-5882.