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Bergen Prosecutor’s Office Looking into Head-on Collision on Old Hook Road

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Harrington Park NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the ongoing investigation of a serious motor vehicle collision that occurred at approximately 6:56 a.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. The investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, and the Harrington Park Police Department under the direction of Chief Albert Maalouf.

On Wednesday, January 2, 2019, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a head-on collision had occurred on Old Hook Road in the Borough of Harrington Park, west of Schraalenburgh Road. All three parties involved were reported to have suffered injuries with two of the parties sustaining serious injuries.

An investigation revealed that a 2016 Honda Odyssey operated by a 34-year-old female from Norwood, NJ, crossed over the double yellow line and struck a westbound 2016 Toyota Highlander head-on. The operator of the Toyota, a 74-year-old male from Englewood, NJ, was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. The operator of the Honda, along with an 8-year-old female passenger from Norwood, NJ, were both transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where they are currently listed in critical condition.

Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the cause of the collision is still under investigation, and would also like to thank the Harrington Park Police Department for its assistance in this investigation.

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Englewood Man Held on Murder Charges in Bogota Shooting

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Bogota NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of TALEK T. LAWSON (DOB: 7/9/1995; single; construction worker) of 827 Rock Creek Terrace, Englewood, NJ, on charges of Murder, Unlawful Possession Of A Weapon, and Possession Of A Weapon For An Unlawful Purpose; and the arrest of JUSTIN DULA (DOB: 4/21/1998; single; unemployed) of 684 Rock Creek Terrace, Englewood, NJ, on a charge of Aggravated Assault. The arrests are the result of an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Anthony Cureton, the Bogota Police Department under the direction of Chief Daniel Maye, and the Englewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Lawrence Suffern.

On Wednesday, December 12, 2018, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received information that a shooting had occurred on Leonia Avenue, in the area of Buddy’s Place bar, in Bogota, NJ. Responding officers and EMS treated Dakota Johnson, who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound. Johnson was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

An investigation revealed that, during a fight among numerous individuals, DULA assaulted one individual in an attempt to cause serious bodily injury. During the incident, LAWSON fired a handgun, striking and killing Johnson.

As a result of the investigation, Talek LAWSON was arrested and charged with one count of Murder, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3A(1),(2), a 1st degree crime; Unlawful Possession Of A Weapon, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5B(1), a 2nd degree crime; and Possession Of A Weapon For An Unlawful Purpose, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1), a 2nd degree crime. DULA was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Assault, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1B(1), a 2nd degree crime. LAWSON and DULA were remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack.

Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would also like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the Bogota Police Department, and the Englewood Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.

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New York Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Robbing Fort Lee, and Hasbrouck Heights Banks

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hasbrouck Heights NJ,  A Manhattan man was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for robbing banks in Jackson Township, Fort Lee, and Hasbrouck Heights, as well as attempting to burglarize a fourth bank in Englewood between December 2013 and February 2017, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Continue reading New York Man Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For Robbing Fort Lee, and Hasbrouck Heights Banks

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Reader says , “We have reached the pinacle of decades of mismanagement regime after regime”

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We have reached the pinacle of decades of mismanagement regime after regime.
Look behind the curtain..developers and other political
hacks have been driving the bus as far as Misprioritization
of the common Taxpapers needs vs the money people who see ridgewood as the new Englewood or Montclair with fields of condos and associated costs related to any fantasy transit village conversion, so that the realtors and developers can pick the towns assets clean down to the bone .Leaving the massive debt servicing to the home owner families with mortgages and kids in local Schools for years ahead
Realtors love the churn..developers love the chaos ..
Parking debt public obligation will be unsustainable ..but by then the developers will have sold to the REITS and moved on with
our futures in their greedy pockets ..Interest rate and taxation rising rates add more fuel to the fire ..ps pave cottage place parking lot…have you no shame VC .?

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ENGLEWOOD, MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Englewood NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrest of JOSE RUBEN-GUTIERREZ (DOB: 11/21/1959; single; employed as a laborer) of Englewood, NJ, on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault By Sexual Contact, and Endangering The Welfare Of A Child. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, and the Englewood Police Department under the direction of Chief Lawrence Suffern.

Continue reading ENGLEWOOD, MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

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Reader says Gas Tax Increase Directly Effects Fuel Purchases

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The morons in Trenton will never get it. When the original fuel tax increase went through I asked the manager of a truck stop in Mahwah if it had an effect on the volume of diesel fuel sold. He said absolutely . Truckers can take on 200 gallons or more, and since nj raised the tax the price was no longer competitive, so there was no incentive to buy fuel here. So this is what happens when morons run the state. By the way I notice the roads are worse than ever. Massive holes with metal rebar protruding on most places where the ashphalt meets concrete bridges. Holes between the lanes such as route 46 where the paving job was substandard years ago. And the old bag granny Weinberg earmarks 2 billion of this money to extend the failing njtransit light rail to englewood and teanack

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ENGLEWOOD WOMAN CHARGED WITH WITNESS TAMPERING

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August 3,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Englewood NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of AASIM BOONE (DOB: 11/02/82; single; and unemployed) and CHARLENE YABUT (DOB: 12/10/1979; single; and employed as a registry clerk) of 198 Waldo Place, Englewood, New Jersey. The arrests are the result of a two-week investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office.

On July 16, 2018, a task force initiated by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad arrested Aasim BOONE and charged him with multiple counts of burglary and he was remanded to the Bergen County Jail. Shortly thereafter, an investigation ensued into BOONE and his communications with Charlene YABUT asking her to contact a victim/witness and attempt to have her drop pending domestic violence charges.
On August 1, 2018, Charlene YABUT was arrested and charged with Hindering, N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3A(3) and Witness Tampering, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5A(1). Aasim BOONE was charged with Witness Tampering, N.J.S.A. 2C:28-5A(1). They are scheduled for first appearances in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 1:30 p.m.

Acting Prosecutor Calo states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.

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FOUR CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE COUNTS OF BURGLARY IN BERGEN

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July 19,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo announced the arrests of AASIM BOONE (DOB: 11/02/82; single; and unemployed) of 198 Waldo Place, Englewood, NJ, JOSLIN HARRINGTON (DOB: 11/13/85; single; and employed as a cafeteria worker) of 724 18th Avenue, Apt. 1, Irvington, NJ, JUSTIN DAHZY (DOB: 02/20/1999; single; and unemployed) of 44 Preston Street, Bogota, NJ, and VALERIE JOYNER (DOB: 07/08/1991; single; and employed as an aide at a residential care facility) of 19 Schirra Drive, Wanaque, NJ. The arrests are the result of a month-long investigation by a special task force comprised of members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Hackensack, Teaneck, Tenafly, Oradell, Paramus, and Rochelle Park Police Departments.

As a result of the investigation, Aasim BOONE, Joslin HARRINGTON, Justin DAHZY, and Valerie JOYNER were arrested on Monday, July 16, 2018 and charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft.

In June 2018, the Hackensack Police Department contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad and provided information that led detectives to a rental vehicle being used by BOONE and others to commit numerous residential burglaries throughout Bergen County and to the formation of the task force. After tracking the vehicle in question and using multiple law enforcement databases, a historic timeline was produced in connection with the multiple burglaries that occurred.Through witness interviews, surveillance, video and other law enforcement investigative techniques, search warrants and arrest warrants were issued.

As a result of information obtained during this investigation, several arrest and search warrants were executed for the individuals and locations involved in this coordinated criminal enterprise. On July 16, 2018, members of the task force arrested BOONE, HARRINGTON, DAHZY, and JOYNER at various locations in Bergen County and Essex County. They were charged with residential burglaries in Bergen County , in the towns of Paramus , Hackensack ,Teaneck , Tenafly, Oradell and Englewood .

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Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service Extenting into Bergen County

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July 5,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

What is Northern Branch?

The Northern Branch is a freight rail line owned by CSX Transportation that runs through Hudson and Bergen Counties to the New York State Border. The Northern Branch Corridor, through which the rail line traverses, is a densely settled suburban environment that has not been served by passenger rail since the discontinuation of service on the Northern Branch and West Shore Lines in the 1950s and 60s.

The Northern Branch Corridor Project calls for transit improvements in northeastern Hudson and southeastern Bergen Counties through the restoration of passenger rail service on an existing freight rail line. The electric light rail service would operate on West Side Avenue in North Bergen, and then on existing railroad right-of-way owned by CSX Transportation (CSX) between 91st Street in North Bergen and the northern border of Englewood and would introduce new station stops in North Bergen, Ridgefield, Palisades Park, Leonia, and Englewood.

Project Planning
The growth of automobile usage and accompanying roadway congestion in recent decades led planners and officials to search for solutions to the growing traffic problems in the Bergen County area. In the mid-1990s the West Shore Region Study provided a comprehensive examination of multi-modal opportunities throughout Bergen County, New Jersey and Rockland County, New York. Recommended for further study was an extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) from 85th Street in North Bergen along the Northern Branch to Tenafly, New Jersey.

The Northern Branch Corridor DEIS was prepared by NJ TRANSIT in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to evaluate the benefits, costs and social, economic and environmental impacts of constructing and operating passenger rail service on the Northern Branch. The DEIS evaluated two Build Alternatives: the Preferred Alternative, which extended existing Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) service from North Bergen to the Tenafly-Cresskill border, and a similar HBLR extension that terminated at Route 4 in Englewood.

The DEIS was published in November 2011, and can be reviewed here: Northern Branch DEIS.

Public hearings were held in January 2012, and the public comment period closed on February 21, 2012. More than 1,200 comments were received and reviewed by NJ TRANSIT. While many comments expressed support for the service, residents and community leaders in Tenafly were strongly opposed to the extension of service into their community. After considering the comments, FTA and NJ TRANSIT have developed a new alignment that would extend HBLR service from North Bergen to Englewood Hospital, which is north of Route 4 and south of Tenafly. Light rail service would not extend past Englewood.

This new alignment results in changes to the service plan and potential environmental and social impacts explored in the DEIS circulated for comment in 2012. As a result, this new alignment and associated changes have been analyzed in a Supplemental DEIS (SDEIS) and circulated for public comment and agency feedback in a process closely approximating the one undertaken for the DEIS.
The SDEIS was published on March 24, 2017, and can be reviewed here: Northern Branch SDEIS.

Similar to a DEIS, an SDEIS requires a public hearing and public comment period. The comments on the SDEIS and DEIS will be addressed together in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). A 60-day public comment period will follow the notice of availability (NOA) of the SDEIS, during which time NJ TRANSIT will hold a public hearing. Comments will be collected and reviewed in the same manner as conducted for the DEIS. Provided that the SDEIS comments do not present compelling arguments for substantial revision to the SDEIS Preferred Alternative, an FEIS will be prepared, incorporating the SDEIS findings and unchanged elements from the DEIS. A response to comments chapter will be included in the FEIS, addressing all comments received during the prior two comment periods.

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Cristian Valdez Recovery Fund

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June 24,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Englewood NJ, 15 year old Cristian Valdez was struck by a car while riding his skateboard in Englewood and was left, while the car drove off. He is currently in a medically induced coma, and we are hoping he gets better soon. Prayers are needed at this time and we would gratefully appreciate a donation to the fund to help our friend through a speedy recovery.

https://www.gofundme.com/5ob44i0

$1000 REWARD: Authorities are looking for a dark-colored Audi A6 that struck Cristian Valdez on Knickerbocker Road June 11th. Submit a tip anonymously that leads to arrest. $1000 reward at bergencrimestoppers.org

The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Englewood Police Department are requesting information from the public regarding a hit and run collision which resulted in a pedestrian sustaining serious injuries.
At approximately 9:50 pm on Monday, June 11, 2018, the Englewood Police Department received a report of a pedestrian lying in the roadway on Knickerbocker Road near the intersection of Bilmar Place. Upon arrival at the scene of the collision, officers observed a juvenile male victim lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The victim’s injuries were consistent with having been struck by a motor vehicle. He was treated at the scene and transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he in being treated for multiple serious injuries.

The ensuing investigation indicates that the striking vehicle is a 2001-2004 Audi A6, dark in color. The vehicle will have obvious front-end damage, including a broken grille, and possible damage to the bumper, hood, and windshield. The striking vehicle fled the scene traveling northbound on Knickerbocker Road towards Tenafly.

Anyone with information regarding this hit and run collision is encouraged to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit at 201-226-5595, or the Englewood Police Department at 201-568-2700.

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UPDATE: SEEKING PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE IN ENGLEWOOD HIT AND RUN INVESTIGATION

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June 22,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Englewood NJ, The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Englewood Police Department are requesting information from the public regarding a hit and run collision which resulted in a pedestrian sustaining serious injuries.

At approximately 10:50 pm on Monday, June 11, 2018, the Englewood Police Department received a report of a pedestrian lying in the roadway on Knickerbocker Road near the intersection of Bilmar Place. Upon arrival at the scene of the collision, officers observed a juvenile male victim lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The victim’s injuries were consistent with having been struck by a motor vehicle. He was treated at the scene and transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he in being treated for multiple serious injuries.

The ensuing investigation indicates that the striking vehicle is a 2001-2004 Audi A6, dark in color. The vehicle will have obvious front-end damage, including a broken grille, and possible damage to the bumper, hood, and windshield. The striking vehicle fled the scene traveling northbound on Knickerbocker Road towards Tenafly.

Anyone with information regarding this hit and run collision is encouraged to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit at 201-226-5595, or the Englewood Police Department at 201-568-2700.

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POLICE SEEK ASSISTANCE IN HIT-AND-RUN INVESTIGATION IN ENGLEWOOD

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June 15,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Englewood NJ, The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Englewood Police Department are requesting information from the public regarding a hit-and-run collision which resulted in a pedestrian sustaining serious injuries.

At approximately 10:50 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2018, the Englewood Police Department received a report of a pedestrian lying in the roadway on Knickerbocker Road near the intersection of Bilmar Place. Upon arrival at the scene of the collision, officers observed a juvenile male victim lying in the roadway with serious injuries. The victim’s injuries were consistent with having been struck by a motor vehicle. He was treated at the scene and transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition.

Evidence at the scene indicates that the striking vehicle is an early model Audi, color unknown: likely a 2000-2002 Audi A4, 2000-2004 Audi A6, or 2001-2005 Audi Allroad. The vehicle will have obvious front-end damage, including a broken grille, and possible damage to the bumper, hood, and windshield. The striking vehicle fled the scene traveling northbound on Knickerbocker Road towards Tenafly.

Anyone with information regarding this hit-and-run collision is encouraged to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Investigation Unit at 201-226-5595, or the Englewood Police Department at 201-568-2700.

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BERGEN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL DINNER, Elections, Awards

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June 10,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ramsey NJ, Thursday, June 14, 2018, 6:30 pm, Ramsey Golf & Country Club, NJ. More info on our website. Reservation deadline June 7. Mail check to BCHS, PO Box 55, River Edge, NJ 07661. $55.
We will meet this year’s award winners and elect officers and trustees.

Then Jennifer Rothschild will share highlights of Rudy Van Gelder’s work at “the cathedral of jazz,” the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs where jazz greats John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock and countless others created legendary recordings. The Rudy Van Gelder Home & Studio just received a Certificate of Eligibility for the NJ and National Registers of Historic Places in April 2018.

Bergen County Historical Society 2018 Awardees:
Maureen and Don Sickler, the Oratam Award for preservation of a landmark building, the Van Gelder House and Studio
Senator Loretta Weinberg, the Koehler Award for continuing enthusiasm and support for Historic New Bridge Landing
Matthew Wrightington, Life Scout with Troop 379 in Palisades Park, the Oratam Award for initiative, research and installation of 50 Retreat Markers in Bergen County
John Cookson, Eagle scout, Troop 2295, River Edge, the Oratam Award for initiative of BCHS Blue Marker restoration along Paramus Road
Kate Reilly, the Westervelt Award for her dedication as volunteer and trustee and for her leadership in advancing the professionalism of our corps of volunteers
Dave Clark accepting for the Ridgewood Country Club, the Oratam Award for preservation of the Ridgewood Country Club and open space through the National Register of Historic Places designation
Please join us for the BCHS Annual Dinner, Awards, Election & a Presentation by Jennifer Rothschild at the beautiful and historic Ramsey Golf & Country Club on June 14th.

How timely is this? We’re celebrating the Van Gelder Studios, the stewards of the property and artists that recorded there at our annual dinner June 14 with a talk and presentation of the BCHS Oratam award.
Search Bergen County History .org for info.

“Lost” John Coltrane Album to Be Released – Smithsonian
https://apple.news/A6Ymut5auQWmyrGjE5iao3g

 

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“Operation Pitfall” Nabs Seventeen Indictments for Allegedly Conspiring to Distribute Heroin in Paterson

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June 8,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paterson NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal today announced a state grand jury indictment charging the alleged leader and 16 other alleged members of a narcotics network linked to the Bloods street gang that was distributing large amounts of heroin in Paterson. Seventeen more individuals are charged with possession of narcotics, including 16 who allegedly purchased heroin from the ring, bringing the total number of defendants indicted to 34.
The indictment, handed up yesterday, stems from “Operation Pitfall,” a collaborative investigation led by the New Jersey State Police Gangs & Organized Crime North Unit, the Division of Criminal Justice, the State Parole Board, the Newark Police Department, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Paterson Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Prospect Park Police, Wallington Police, Elmwood Park Police, Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne Police, and Clifton Police.

The investigation targeted a drug trafficking organization operating in a section of the 4th Ward of Paterson known as the four corners or “4K” area, referring to the intersections of Mercer Street and Putnam Street, Rosa Parks Boulevard and Putnam Street, Mercer Street and Warren Street, and Rosa Parks Boulevard and Warren Street. The area has a history of open air drug dealing and gun violence. The drug network was led by a local set of the Bloods street gang known as the “4K Bloods” or “Korner Boyz.” The cooperating agencies arrested most of the defendants in November, including the alleged ringleader, Jaumel Reese, 35, of Passaic, N.J., and one of his alleged bulk suppliers, Jesse Garcia, 27, of Lodi, N.J. Reese and many of the other defendants are allegedly members of the 4K Bloods.

The Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau yesterday obtained a 63-count state grand jury indictment charging all 17 alleged ring members with second-degree conspiracy to distribute heroin. Reese is also charged with first-degree promoting organized street crime, and Eric Huntington, 41, of Paterson, who allegedly was one of Reese’s top “runners” or suppliers to street-level dealers, is charged with first-degree distribution of heroin. During the takedown of the ring, authorities executed a search warrant at the home of Garcia, where they seized 90 bricks of heroin (each including about 50 “bags” or doses), a handgun, hollow-nose bullets, and over $19,000. Garcia is charged with additional second-degree drug and gun offenses, as well as third-degree money laundering. A total of three guns were seized during the investigation. The other ring members face various additional second- and third-degree drug charges, and the 16 alleged buyers face third-degree heroin possession charges.

“We are collaborating in investigations like Operation Pitfall to target the drug traffickers who are fueling the deadly opioid epidemic and bringing violence to the neighborhoods of our cities,” said Attorney General Grewal. “This investigation really took aim at the heart of the problem, because Paterson is a major hub for heroin distribution across northern New Jersey and the open-air drug markets allegedly controlled by this Bloods set in the city’s 4th Ward have a history of gun violence.”

“This investigation is a great example of all levels of law enforcement working together seamlessly to dismantle a significant narcotics network,” said Director Veronica Allende of the Division of Criminal Justice. “There can be little doubt that we saved lives by stopping the heroin trafficked by these gang members from reaching people struggling with addiction in Paterson and the surrounding region.”
“When heroin dealing is introduced into a community, gun violence is not far behind, and if you add dangerous street gangs to the equation, the effect on a city’s residents can be devastating,” said Colonel Patrick Callahan of the New Jersey State Police. “I want to commend the State Police personnel and our law enforcement partners who ultimately dismantled this drug distribution network and made the streets safer for the residents of Paterson.”
Deputy Attorney General Amy Sieminski presented the case to the state grand jury for the Division of Criminal Justice Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Annmarie Taggart and Bureau Chief Lauren Scarpa Yfantis. Attorney General Grewal commended the prosecutors in the Division of Criminal Justice, the detectives in the New Jersey State Police Gangs and Organized Crime North Unit, including the lead detective, Detective Scott Sanders, and all of the detectives, officers and special agents who investigated for the other participating agencies.
The following is a full list of the defendants charged with second-degree conspiracy as alleged ring members:
Jaumel Reese, 35, of Passaic, N.J.
Jessie Garcia, 27, of Lodi, N.J.
Eric Huntington, 41, of Paterson, N.J.
Jerome Deas, 38, of Paterson, N.J.
Marvelous Pitts, 31, of Paterson, N.J.
Shaques Huntington, 24, Paterson, N.J.
Herbert Pitts, 60, of Paterson, N.J.
Justin Jones, 24, of Paterson, N.J.
Angela Whitehead, 32, of Prospect Park, N.J.
Jeffrey Hunter, 29, of Paterson, N.J.
Markeith Davis, 48, of Paterson, N.J.
Tariq Jackson, 25, of Paterson, N.J.
Devon Armstrong, 40, of Paterson, N.J.
Jonathan Cedeno, 22, of Paterson, N.J.
Isaac Coleman, 32, of Paterson, N.J.
Hanife Dock, 29, of Paterson, N.J.
Theodore Blackshear, 46, of Paterson, N.J.
The following is a list of the remaining 17 defendants. All are charged with third-degree possession of heroin, with the exception of Winter Burch. Burch, who is a girlfriend of Reese, is charged with third-degree possession of codeine and fourth-degree possession of false government documents.
Jasmine Soto, 28, of Milford, Pa.
Christopher Gutierrez, 34, of Milford, Pa.
Daniel Grimm, 67, of Franklin, N.J.
Nicholas McLaughlin, 26, of Greeley, Pa.
Christopher Holbert, 24, of Hawley, Pa.
Brent Howell, 33, of Blairstown, N.J.
Frank Marchionni, 26, of Nanuet, N.Y.
Jonathon Kleinberg, 29, of New City, N.Y.
Michael Armao, 33, of Greenwood Lake, N.Y.
Michael Sheridan, 42, of Johnson, N.Y.
Robert Ferri, 33, of Wyckoff, N.J.
Chelsea Rouse, 34, of East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Jennifer Halterman, 33, of East Stroudsburg, Pa.
David Boralsky, 35, of Stanhope, N.J.
Michael Ryerson, 48, of Paterson, N.J.
Carl McKenith, 65, of Englewood, N.J.
Winter Burch, 36, of Passaic, N.J.
Jaumel Reese, Jessie Garcia, Eric Huntington and Jerome Deas are being detained in jail pre-trial. They were charged in a prior indictment in March that has been superseded by this new indictment.
First-degree charges carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000, while second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. A sentence for first-degree promoting organized street crime must be served consecutively to the sentence for any underlying offense. The first-degree heroin distribution charge carries an enhanced fine of up to $500,000. Reese is charged with employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, a second-degree charge which also carries an enhanced fine of up to $500,000. The second-degree charges of certain persons not to possess a weapon carry a mandatory term of parole ineligibility of five years. The third-degree drug charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $35,000.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE AND NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE CREATE COLD CASE HOMICIDE UNIT AND IDENTIFY SUSPECT IN 1999 ENGLEWOOD, HOMICIDE

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June 2,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo and Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced today the creation of a Cold Case Homicide Unit (“the Unit”) within the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (“BCPO”) and the charging of a defendant in a 1999 cold case. The Unit is a joint effort between the BCPO under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti and the New Jersey State Police (“NJSP”) under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and is dedicated exclusively to the review of cold case homicides in Bergen County.

The Cold Case Homicide Unit is currently reviewing more than 90 cold cases dating back the 1950’s. The Unit resides within the BCPO Major Crimes Unit and consists of one Prosecutor’s Office Detective Sergeant, an on-loan Detective from the New Jersey State Police Major Crimes Unit, and a dedicated Senior Assistant Prosecutor.
In March 2018, as the result of the resubmission of evidence to the NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences and advancements in forensic technology, the Unit developed a suspect in the 1999 homicide of Hyo J. Lee (DOB: 10/17/65; employed at a nail salon). Ms. Lee left her home at 37 North Dean Street in Englewood just after midnight on Sunday, July 4, 1999 to go for a walk. She was sexually assaulted and murdered, and her body was found later that morning behind a dumpster in Englewood.

Upon review of the case file, members of the Cold Case Unit resubmitted evidence to the NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences in Hamilton, NJ, which was able to create a DNA profile of the killer. That newly developed DNA profile was uploaded to a national DNA database, and JOSE COLON, a.k.a., Luis Chavez, was identified. COLON had been arrested in Cleveland, Ohio in 1999 for a similar crime but in which the victim survived.
Jose COLON has been charged for the Englewood homicide with Murder and Sexual Assault and entered into a nationwide law enforcement database as a Fugitive from Justice. COLON was deported from the United States in 2005 to his native Nicaragua after serving time in Ohio State Prison for the 1999 Cleveland assault. The Unit is working with federal authorities and the United States Department of Justice to locate COLON and extradite him to the United States to stand trial for the murder.

“When a crime goes unsolved – especially a serious crime like murder or rape – justice is denied, victims and survivors lack closure, and a dangerous criminal may be left free to victimize others,” said Attorney General Grewal. “Beyond that, society is harmed, because our faith in justice and our sense of security under the rule of law are shaken. As New Jersey’s top law enforcement officer, pursuing justice for all is my top priority, and this new cold case unit is an outstanding example of law enforcement diligently pursuing justice.”

Acting Prosecutor Calo stated, “This Cold Case Homicide Unit is testament that the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office does not forget the victims of violent crimes no matter how much time passes, and that we will dedicate the energy and resources to bring justice to those victims whenever possible.”

In announcing the new unit with Acting Prosecutor Calo and the State Police, Attorney General Grewal discussed the importance of these specialized units and outlined a plan to encourage other counties to implement such units to focus personnel and resources on investigating and solving cold cases. In April, the Attorney General announced the creation of a panel, led by the Honorable Virginia Long, former Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, and former U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Paul J. Fishman, to advise on establishing a statewide Cold Case Unit in the Attorney General’s Office, as well as a Conviction Review Unit, which would review credible claims of innocence regarding defendants convicted of serious crimes. The panel is expected to make recommendations by September.

Acting Prosecutor Calo additionally states that the charges against Jose COLON are only accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and would like to thank the Englewood Police Department and the United States Department of Justice for their assistance with this investigation.