Arrest Made in Glen Rock Bias Graffiti Incident

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Glen Rock NJ, the Glen Rock Police have reported making an arrest in the  anti-trans LGBTQ+ bias graffiti incident discovered by the owner of the NECTAR CAFÉ located in the 175 Rock Road rear shopping complex.  After investigating, Glen Rock Detectives have arrested two Fair Lawn juveniles.

According to Glen Rock Police ,the juveniles, a 17-year-old female and 16-year-old male, were taken into custody by detectives just after 6 PM on October 20, while conducting surveillance in the Rock Road Central Business District.

Additional evidence was also recovered during the arrest.

Both were charged with one count each of Criminal Mischief N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3a(1) and Bias Intimidation N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(2) and released to the custody of a parent or guardian.

It was determined that this was a random act and that no specific individual, person, or business was targeted. The matter has been referred to the Juvenile Intake Unit at the Family Part of the Chancery Division of Superior Court for Bergen County in Hackensack.

In a press release , Chief Dean Ackermann praised Det. Sgt. James Calaski and Det. Lucas Doney for their diligence during this investigation as well as the businesses and community members who provided video and other clues which led to the identification of the offenders.

This arrest comes just after NJ Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced an inter-agency task force convened to address the alarming rate of bias incidents among New Jersey’s children and young adults. The task force has issued a report recommending sweeping reforms to the State’s education system, tougher anti-bias laws, and a robust public engagement campaign, in order to counter the trend.

Chief Dean Ackermann reminds the public that these charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.