AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM ARREST

Yesterday, at approximately 4:15 A.M., officers responded to a West 2nd Street address on the report of a large fight in progress involving the discharge of a firearm. Upon arrival, officers met with the 26 year old victim, who stated that an "unknown" male party rang his doorbell shortly after 4:00 A.M.. The victim walked outside to speak with the individual when he was accosted by three additional males. One of the males produced a handgun and a lengthy physical altercation ensued.  The incident eventually led to the firearm being discharged into the ground of a nearby residence. The suspects then fled the scene in a small, black colored vehicle. The victim sustained significant injury to the head and facial injury and was transported to the hospital where he remained in tretament for the majoirty of the day. No one was injured by the firearm discharge.

An investigation was immediately initiated by the Detective Division during which time investigators learned that the incident was motivated by a dispute over monies owed. The investigation progressed throughout the day and led to the arrest of the suspect responsible for the discharge of the firearm; specifically  Eric Hernandez (22) of Paterson, late yesterday. Detective Michael Davey charged  Hernandez with Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Handgun), and other weapons offenses. Bail was set at $400,000 (no 10 %). The investigation is on-going.

POLICE IMPERSONATOR

On February 2, 2012, a police impersonator struck at least three times in the area of Broad and Grove Streets (lower end). During the late morning and early afternoon hours, the impersonator reportedly rang door bells while dressed in dark blue clothing (resembling that of a police uniform) and displaying a "star shaped" badge. The suspect advised each resident that due to an influx of burglaries in the area, the "Sheriff's Department" was conducting a survey for the future installation of "free" surveillance cameras in homes located on "main roads". Two of the residents denied the suspect entry, however, one of the residents allowed the suspect inside her residence, where he proceeded to "survey" the interior of the home for approximately forty five minutes. The suspect reportedly asked security related questions while continuously writing down "information" in a notebook. At one point, the resident lost sight of the suspect and eventually realized that he had fled the home. It is unknown whether the suspect removed anything from the residence during the incident.

The suspect was described as a Caucasian male in his 20"s, with a medium build and straight, black hair. Anyone having experienced a similar incident, or with any information regarding these acts, is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @973-470-5908.

ARMED ROBBERY ARRESTS

On January 28, 2012, patrol officers responded to the area of Highland Avenue and Clifton Boulevard on the report of a large fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim, a 19 year old Clifton resident. According to the victim, he had been traveling on Highland Avenue when he was "bumped" from behind by another vehicle. In response, the victim stopped his vehicle near the aforementioned intersection, at which time two male parties exited from the vehicle behind and approached him. One of the individuals was in possession of a baseball bat and proceeded to break a window on the victim's vehicle. The two suspects then physically removed the victim from the vehicle and repeatedly struck him in the thighs with the bat while demanding money that was owed. The suspects subsequently removed cash from the victim's person and fled the scene in a small foreign vehicle.

After an investigation that lasted several days, two arrests have been made in conjunction with this incident; one of which was an adult, and the second, a juvenile. The adult was identified as Randall Porga (19) of Clifton, and the juvenile was identified as being a 17 year old Clifton resident. Detective Michael Davey charged both suspects with Armed Robbery and weapons related offenses. The adult received a $100,000 bail and was sent to the Passaic County Jail while the juvnenile offender was transported to the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.

ARMED ROBBERY

This morning, at approximately 5:00 A.M., a 58 year old Clifton man was robbed at gunpoint near the intersection of Main and Luddington Avenues after retrieving money from a nearby ATM. The victim was in the process of walking home after completing the transaction when he was approached from behind by two male suspects; one of whom was in possession of a handgun. One of the suspects proceeded to remove the victim's cash from his pocket while reportedly encouraging the suspect in possession of the handgun to "shoot" the victim. The suspects fled the scene on foot toward Third Street and were described as being Hispanic males in their late teens or early twenties. Both suspects were described as wearing dark colored, hooded sweatshirts. 

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

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.