Drug Arrests

In response to complaints regarding drug usage and possible drug sales near the entrance to the Clifton High School Campus on Colfax Avenue, the Clifton Police Department Juvenile Division and Tactical Narcotics Team participated in a detail on Friday morning (02/17/2012) that yielded five arrests, all of which were juvenile CHS students. The operation targeted alleged drug related offenses that were taking place off-campus prior to the start of the school day, and was the result of a joint investigation between Clifton High School Administration and police detectives. All five of the arrested juveniles were charged with marijuana related offenses and will be mandated to appear in Passaic County Superior Court.

Motor Vehicle Pursuit/ Arrests

On February 19, 2012, Patrolman Joel Muniz and Patrolman Sean Connor attempted to stop a vehicle that was traveling on Valley Road near Montclair State University. The vehicle in question, a 1999 Volkswagon Jetta, was tailgating another vehicle and had crossed over the double yellow lines several times. The officers activated the patrol vehicle's overhead lights in an attempt to alert the driver of the vehicle to pull over, however, the driver refused; instead, opting to accelerate and elude the officers. A motor vehicle pursuit ensued and continued onto the property of Montclair State University, during which time the object vehicle reached speeds of approximately 70 m.p.h. At one point in the pursuit, the driver of the suspect vehicle lost control and traveled into a wooded area on the campus. Officers continued to converge on the suspect vehicle when they realized that it had careened down an approximate 100 foot embankment. At this time, the officers approached the area on foot, when they observed at least two individuals fleeing from the vehicle. When the officers arrived at the spot where the object vehicle came to rest, they quickly apprehended one of the vehicle's occupants; specifically Brendan Guzman (18 y.o.a.) of Clifton. Numerous patrol units responded to assist in the search of the parties at large and worked in conjunction with the Montclair State University Police in an effort to apprehend them.

During the course of the investigation, officers learned that one of the occupants at large was a member of a college sport team. Comparing information found at the scene with a roster of the team researched via the internet, Sgt, Saggio identified the second suspect; specifically Pablo Zegarra (19 y.o.a.) of Montclair, and later arrested him at his dorm room. The third suspect, later identified as Oscar Gonzalez (19 y.o.a.) of Clifton, was determined to be the driver of the vehicle during the pursuit and was later apprehended at his residence.

Gonzalez was charged with Eluding an Officer (2nd Degree), Resisting Arrest (4th Degree), DWI, DWI in a School Zone, Underage Consumption of Alcohol, and a multitude of moving violations. Guzman was charged with Hindering the Apprehension of Another (3rd Degree) and Underage Consumption of Alcohol. Zegarra was charged with Resisting Arrest (4th Degree) and Underage Consumption of Alcohol.

ROBBERY

On Saturday night, (Feburary 18, 2012)  at approximately 9:30 P.M.,a 54 year old male was assaulted and robbed as he walked on Hadley Avenue. The victim was in the process of walking from the area of Main Avenue when he was accosted by at least three suspects. The suspects approached the victim from behind and kicked him in the back, thus causing him to fall to the ground. At this time, the suspects began to participate in a violent assault upon the victim. During the assault, the victim was puched and kicked about the torso and head multiple times and eventually relieved of his cellular phone. The suspects subsequently fled the scene through neighboring yards. Patrol units responded minutes later and with the assistance of Passaic County Sheriff's Department K-9 Units, began a detailed and exhaustive search of the area  However, this proved unsuccessful, as the suspects were unable to be located. The only availabe description of the suspects was that they were wearing dark clothing.

The victim sustained significant injury to his facial area, and as a result, was conveyed to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment. At this time, the investigation is continuing and the public is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @973-470-5908 if they have any information regarding this incident.

ROBBERIES OF JUVENILES

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, two robberies took place in the Main Memorial Park/Christopher Columbus Middle School area. The first incident took place at approximately 5:30 P.M. when a 15 year old Clifton male was walking through the park and toward the school to meet with a family member. He was approached in the area of the tennis courts by two males who demanded that he hand over his cellular phone. When the victim stated that he did not possess a phone, one of the suspects lifted his shirt and motioned to his waistline indicating that he had a handgun. Although the victim did not see an actual firearm, he did observe some type of object wedged in the suspect's midsection. The suspects then "patted down" the victim for any personal belongings and fled when they realized that he did not possess anything of value.

The second incident occurred approximately twenty minutes later in front of Christopher Columbus Middle School (across from the baseball field) and involved a 13 year old male being approached by two male suspects who asked to "borrow" his cellular phone. The victim decided to allow the suspects (whom he was unfamiliar with) to utilize the phone, however they refused to return it. When the victim asked for the phone a second time, one of the suspects stated, "You know I have a gun. How do you want this to go down?"  Although he did not observe a weapon of any sort, the victim subsequently ran away in fear of being "shot". 

One of the suspects was described as being a medium skinned, Hispanic male, approximately 15-16 years of age, 5'11" in height with a thin build. He was wearing beige pants, a dark, hooded sweatshirt, a black baseball cap and grey colored "Vans" style low top sneakers. This suspect was also in possession of a skateboard. 

The second suspect was described as being a medium skinned, Hispanic male, approximately 14-15 years of age, 5’6" in height, with a medium build. He was wearing a black sweater, a black baseball cap, and black sneakers. This suspect reportedly spoke in Spanish and was also in possession of a skateboard. 

At this time, detectives suspect that these incidents are related to two previous robberies that took place in the vicinity of Christopher Columbus Middle School during after school hours on December 1, 2011 and January 30, 2012. Detectives believe that the suspects may be targeting juveniles that are leaving "after school programs" based on the fact that they are usually by themselves; thus, leaving them more vulnerable. The Clifton Police Department is urging parents to speak to their children about these incidents and recommending that children avoid walking by themselves through the park and surrounding area during these hours until these individuals can be apprehended. Children having no choice but to walk home alone during this time period are advised against speaking on cellular phones or of giving any outward indication that they are in possession of anything valuable. 

Anyone having questions about these incidents or any information regarding possible suspects is urged to contact the Clifton Police Juvenile Bureau @973-470-5882 or the Clifton Police Department Communications Center @ 973-470-5911. Callers can remain anonymous.

ARREST: POLICE IMPERSONATOR

Late yesterday, an arrest was made in the police impersonator investigation. The arrest came after an investigation that was conducted over a two week period by D/Lt. Michael Sweeney, Detective Robert Domski and Detective Michael Davey. Throughout the course of the investigation, detectives continued to develop leads and were ultimately able to locate surveillance photographs depicting a possible suspect inside a bodega in the northern section of Paterson. The images were of an unidentified male, and as a result, detectives opted to share said images with the public and local law enforcement community in anticipation of receiving further leads. This action proved successful late yesterday afternoon, when a Passaic County Sheriff's Officer on patrol in the North Main Street area of Paterson, observed an individual that fit the description of the "person of interest" depicted in the photograph. At this time, Sheriff's Officer Christopher Patacco stopped the individual, later identified as Michael John Conger (26 y.o.a.) of Paterson, and eventually arrested him for an outstanding warrant. Clifton Detectives were subsequently notified of the arrest and arrangements were made for the suspect to be conveyed to the Clifton Police Department for further investigation.

Upon the suspect's arrival in Clifton, Detectives Domski and Davey conducted a lengthy interrogation of him. The interrogation, coupled with the circumstances surrounding the investigation, led detectives to successfully link the suspect to all three incidents of police impersonation that took place on February 2, 2012 in the City of Clifton, and to confirm that the suspect acted alone. The suspect was ultimately charged with Burglary, Theft and multiple counts of impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer.  Bail was set at $75,000 no 10% and the suspect is currently awaiting transport to the Passaic County Jail.

PERSON OF INTEREST/IMPERSONATING POLICE OFFICER INCIDENT

The individual depicted in these photographs is a person of interest in regard to the acts of police impersonation that took place on February 2, 2012. The photographs were taken from inside a bodega located in the northern section of Paterson. Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual is urged to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @973-470-5908 or the Clifton Police Department Communications Center @973-470-5911.

WINTER STORM TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW

We are expecting somewhere between 1-3" of snow starting late tonight/early tomorrow and continuing for most of the day Saturday.  Following are some tips on how to prepare for a storm, and please remember to check on your elderly neighbors! 

http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather