ARMED ROBBERY

On this date, at approximately 5:45 A.M., patrol officers responded to the Shell gas station (299 route 3 East, Clifton) on the report of an armed robbery that had just taken place. Upon their arrival, officers met with the gas attendant, who stated that just minutes prior, while he was tending to his duties, he was approached by a lone male suspect who produced a handgun and began "pistol whipping" him about the head .While the attendant was attempting to recover from the assault, the suspect proceeded to remove cash from the register and personal belongings from the attendant before fleeing the scene on foot toward the LaQuinta Hotel. The attendant sustanined injuries to the head and facial area and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect was described as a Caucasian or Hispanic male, approximately 5;5", with a thin build. He was wearing dark clothing and a black ski mask. 

Detectives from the Clifton Police Department along with the Passaic County Sheriff's Department Crime Scene Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @974-470-5908.

ARMED ROBBERY ARRESTS

On December 18, 2011, at approximately 3:20 A.M., Officer Anthony Diaz was on patrol in the area of Lakeview Avenue and Piaget Avenue when he was flagged down by a pedestrian who was in need of help. The individual in question, an eighteen year old Clifton resident, advised Officer Diaz that he had just been robbed at gunpoint by multiple actors that fled the scene in a vehicle moments prior. Officer Diaz, along with other patrol units, immediately began searching the area. Officer Diaz ultimately located a vehicle that matched the description provided by the victim traveling on Randolph Avenue near Route 46. At that time, Officer Diaz along with Officer Berkenbush conducted a motor vehicle stop on the vehicle and removed all five occupants at gun point.

 

While this portion of the investigation was taking place, the victim was able to provide his account of what had transpired. The victim was reportedly walking near the intersection of Lakeview Avenue and Piaget Avenue when a black colored Honda Civic approached. At that time, multiple male parties exited the vehicle; one of whom was in possession of a handgun. and approached him on foot. One of the actors proceeded to  "pistol whip" the victim repeatedly in the facial area; thus causing him to fall to the ground; at which time all five participants began to punch and kick him about the body. The actors removed a cellular phone from the victim's person and subsequently fled the scene. However, in their haste, the  suspect vehicle struck another vehicle that was parked nearby and caused significant damage to same. The suspect vehicle then continued to flee the scene until it was stopped by Officer Diaz a short time later.

 

All five of the vehicle occupants were determined to be involved in the incident and were placed under arrest. A pellet pistol was located inside the vehicle subsequent to an interior search of same. At headquarters, detectives from the Juvenile Division and Detective Bureau conducted an investigation that lasted several hours and upon conclusion, all five arrested individuals were charged with Armed Robbery by the Patrol Division. Two of the actors were determined to be juveniles from the City of Paterson. The names of the arrested adults are as follows:

 

1) Felix A Tejada (20 y.o.a.) of Paterson

2) Brayon Tejada (21 y.o.a.) of Paterson

3) Anthony Rojas (19 y.o.a.) of Paterson

 

The adults were additionally charged with a statute relating to the employment of a juvenile in a crime.

 

 Detectives obtained information during the course of their investigation indicating  that the individuals in question committed at least one additional Armed Robbery during the night in question and that the incident occurred somewhere near the Clifton/Paterson border. However, the victim has not come forward to date. In response, the Clifton Police Department is asking the victim of this incident or anyone with information regarding these incidents, to contact the Clifton Police Juvenile Division @ 973-470-5908 as soon as possible. The seriousness of these offenses can not be taken lightly and the assistance of the public is always instrumental in fighting crime.

NYC OEM CELL PHONE TEST

The NYC Office of Emergency Management will test the cellular text message system today between 10am & 3pm. 

The NYC OEM will be testing a text message system today by sending messages to cellular phones in New York City. Reports are that residents in surrounding areas such as Bergen County can/may receive this message. 

When the message is sent phones will receive an audible tone ( even if phones are set to silent or vibrate ) then a message will be received that reads that it is a test from NYC OEM. Again residents in our area may receive this message during the testing process.

ARMED ROBBERY

Last night, at approximately 8:10 P.M., a 51 year old city resident became the victim of an Armed Robbery. The incident occurred on Parker Avenue (near Center Street) while the victim was standing outside her apartment awaiting transportation to church. The victim was approached by a lone male who demanded that she hand over her purse. The victim initially refused to comply, at which time the actor produced a handgun and pressed the barrel of same into the victim's stomach area while threatening to shoot her if she continued to resist. The victim subsequently complied and the actor fled the scene (on foot) in possession of the purse (west on Lake Avenue). The actor was described as a Hispanic male,  17-20 years of age, light skinned, clean shaven, approximately 5'5" and weighing approximately 140 lbs. (thin build). The actor was wearing a "plain" dark blue sweatshirt and black colored watch cap.

SUSPICIOUS DEATHS

Earlier this evening, patrol units from the Clifton Police Department responded to 17 Gillies Street (Clifton) after receiving a report that two deceased individuals were discovered inside said residence by a family friend. Patrol units arrived on scene and located the decedents within the residence; one of which was a female, and the other, a younger male.  An investigation into the deaths began immediately and Detectives from the Clifton Police Department and  Passaic County Prosecutor's Office became involved. The decedents have been identified as Cheryl Regazzi, (53 y.o.a.) of 17 Gillies Street, Clifton and her son, Robert Regazzi (20 y.o.a.) of the same address. The causes of death are still being investigated and additional information will become available as the investigation progresses. Anyone with information regarding this investigation, please contact the Clifton Police Detective Bureau @973-470-5908.

GAS STATION ROBBERY

On 11/13/2011, at approximately 7:15 PM, three actors forced their way into the gas station located at 595 Paulison Avenue in the City of Clifton. Once inside, one actor produced a handgun while another physically assaulted the attendant. The actors made off with cash and fled on foot (Paulison Avenue toward Comfort Place). Two of the actors were described as being Caucasian or Hispanic males, light skinned, in their early 20's, and wearing gray hooded sweatshirts. There was no description available for the third actor. Anyone with information regarding this robbery should contact the Clifton Detective Bureau at 973-470-5908.

BURGLARY ARRESTS

On 11/10/2011, at approximately 4:00 P.M., two actors committed a burglary to a home on Daniels Drive after breaking a rear window and entering the unoccupied residence. The actors removed many valuables from the residence, which included assorted jewelry, cash money, electronics, and luggage, before fleeing the scene. Officers and detectives from the Clifton Police Department responded to the residence and an investigation commenced. During the next several hours, detectives were able to develop leads and ultimately identify two suspects; both of whom were adult males (19 and 20 years old respectively) and residents of Clifton. Detective Michael McLaughlin, Detective Douglas Miller, and Detective Christian Vassoler continued to work the case throughout the night and eventually apprehended both suspects without incident. The detectives were ultimately successful in recovering a majority of the stolen goods and were able to return same to the victims. The suspects were charged with Burglary, Theft, and C.D.S. offenses.

 During the investigation, the aforementioned detectives, along with Detective Robert Anderson, were able to link the two suspects to at least two additional residential burglaries; one of which occurred on Linwood Drive (Clifton) on 10/28/2011, and the second on Hamas Street (Clifton) on 11/10/2011. During these incidents, entry was forced into the unoccupied residences and assorted jewelry and cash were stolen from within the homes. It was later determined that a third actor had accompanied and assisted the two suspects in committing the burglary on Hamas Street. This individual was identified as an 18 year old male, currently residing in Carteret, NJ. (formerly of Clifton). He was later arrested for the burglary in question and additionally charged with C.D.S. offenses.

 As the investigation continued, detectives learned that the two original suspects were involved in over 100 vehicle burglaries that occurred within the City of Clifton and neighboring jurisdictions during the past several weeks. In each of these incidents, the suspects entered vehicles that were left unlocked and removed valuables ranging from spare change to computers. The two suspects were additionally charged with numerous counts of Burglary in relation to these acts. Two additional actors were later identified as partaking in a portion of these vehicle burglaries and were charged accordingly.