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.

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.

UPDATE: FATAL HIT AND RUN

In regard to the fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on March 17, 2012 at the intersection of Piaget Avenue and Seventh Street which killed two pedestrians, new information has developed contradicting the recently reported suspect vehicle as being a silver or gray BMW.  Investigators are now reporting that the suspect vehicle is a 2002-2005 Cadillac Escalade; black in color, with a silver or gray colored front grill. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Clifton Police Traffic Division (Patrolman Willaim Bais or Patrolman Brian Fopma)  @973-470-5905, Detective Tim McConnel of the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office @ 973-881-4800, or the Clifton Police Department Communications Center (24 hours a day) @ 973-470-5911. Callers can remain anonymous.