photos courtesy of Halina Strzepek
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Garfield NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announces the following information regarding an investigation into the four-alarm fire that occurred at 568 Palisade Avenue in Garfield, NJ on Sunday, October 5, 2025. This joint investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Delaney.
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Lyndhurst NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 42-year-old ALEXANDER PLUCHINO of Lyndhurst, NJ, on charges of aggravated arson, arson, risk of widespread injury or damage, criminal mischief, and failure to control or report a fire. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Lyndhurst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Jarvis.
Continue reading Lyndhurst Resident Charged with Arson at Multi-family Apartment Building
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Palisades Park NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 35-year-old DONALD L. BUSH of Palisades Park, on aggravated assault, simple assault, and child abuse charges. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Palisades Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief George Beck.
Continue reading Palisades Park Man Arrested on Child Abuse Charges
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Lodi NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 52-year-old JAVIER E. TUFINO of Lodi, NJ on weapons-related offenses. These charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Lodi Police Department, under the direction of Chief Donald Scorzetti.
Continue reading Lodi Man Arrested After Shooting Into a Parked Car
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Fort Lee NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of 22-year-old JAROL LEDESMA of Brooklyn, NY; 21-year-old JAVIER PENA of Bronx, NY; 23-year-old JOSE PERALTA of Bronx, NY; 24-year-old JUSTIN MARTHA of Bronx, NY; and 28-year-old MICHAEL MERCEDES MARTE of Newark, NJ on charges stemming from an armed robbery in Fort Lee, NJ. The charges are the result of a months-long investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Fort Lee Police Department, under the direction of Chief Matthew Hintze.
Continue reading 4 Suspects Arrested for Armed Robbery at Route 4 Hotel in Fort Lee
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Elmwood Park NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 51-year-old JOSE MENDEZ-ORTIZ of Pearl River, NY on charges of aggravated sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual contact, and endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Elmwood Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Foligno.
Continue reading New York Man Charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault of an Elmwood Park Juvenile
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Englewood NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 40-year-old JOEL GALVIS of Jersey City, NJ on weapons-related offenses in Englewood, NJ. These charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Englewood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas Greeley.
Continue reading Jersey City Man Busted for Self-inflicted Gun Shot Wounds at Englewood Hospital
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East Rutherford NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of 24-year-old JAMIL N. TUNCER of Wallington, NJ; 23-year-old JAKUB P. LEPIANKA of Passaic, NJ; and 27-year-old MICHAEL A. RODRIGUEZ of Passaic, NJ on charges stemming from an armed robbery that occurred in East Rutherford, NJ. The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the East Rutherford Police Department, under the direction of Chief Dennis Rivelli.
Continue reading Three Men Charged in Broad Daylight Armed Robbery in East Rutherford
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Garfield NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the apprehension of JONATHAN M. ORTIZ, of Garfield, NJ, who was previously a fugitive from justice, and an additional charge filed against 20-year-old MIKHI MADDOX ODUM of Garfield, NJ. Both men are in custody and facing several charges each in relation to a shooting that occurred in Garfield, NJ on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The additional charge and the apprehension of the second defendant are the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Delaney.
Continue reading Second Suspect Apprehended in Garfield Shooting
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Garfield NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 20-year-old MIKHI MADDOX ODUM of Garfield, NJ; and criminal charges filed against 20-year-old JONATHAN M. ORTIZ of Garfield, NJ, in relation to a shooting that occurred in Garfield on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. These charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Delaney.
Continue reading One Shooter Remains At large ,Two Men Charged in Shooting Investigation in Garfield
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Hackensack NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 78-year-old JAIME MAGNELLI, SR. of Hackensack, NJ on charges of aggravated arson, arson, risk of widespread injury or damage, failure to control or report a fire, and criminal mischief. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Antista.
Continue reading Bergen County Prosecutor Fills in Details on Arson Arrest in Hackensack
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Teaneck NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced additional charges against 37-year-old DIEGO A. ZHININ of Teaneck, NJ. The additional charges are the result of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck; the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Antista; the Maywood Police Department, under the direction of Chief Terence Kenny; and the Teaneck Police Department, under the direction of Chief Andrew McGurr.
Continue reading Teaneck Man Charged in Multiple Sexual Assaults of a Juvenile
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Hasbrouck Heights NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced criminal charges against 33-year-old YUSEF E. MUHAMMAD of Jersey City, NJ. These charges are related to a stabbing that occurred in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ on Monday, August 18, 2025, and were filed after an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Hackensack Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Antista.
Continue reading Fugitive Remains at Large in Hasbrouck Heights Woman’s Stabbing
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Garfield NJ, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of GASTON NAVARRO, 40, of Paterson, NJ on charges of strict liability for drug-induced death and drug distribution. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Delaney.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge Nj, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 56-year-old AIDONG YANG of Fair Lawn, NJ on the charge of criminal sexual contact. The arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the River Edge Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael J. Walker.
Continue reading Man Charged with Sexual Assault at River Edge Foot Spa
