Bergen County Police Cover-Up: Off-Duty Officers Charged After Brutal Steakhouse Assault

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

PARK RIDGE, NJ — A shocking incident involving off-duty law enforcement has led to multiple arrests and a high-profile investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. Two police officers and two civilians are facing charges following an assault outside a Park Ridge steakhouse that left a man unconscious and seriously injured.

What began as a “disturbance in progress” has now turned into a complex legal battle involving allegations of aggravated assault and an organized cover-up.

The Incident: An Unconscious Victim and a Hidden Suspect

On December 6 of last year, Park Ridge police responded to a call outside the Park Ridge Steakhouse. Upon arrival, officers discovered a man lying on the ground with severe head injuries. The victim was rushed to a local hospital and treated for several days before being released.

As the investigation unfolded, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Confidential Investigations Unit took over. Their findings were explosive: the man responsible for the assault was allegedly an off-duty officer who had hidden inside the restaurant to avoid detection when the first responders arrived.

Officers Charged: Assault and Obstruction

Two local police officers have been identified and charged in connection with the case:

Nicholas K. Dispoto (31) of Hillsdale: An officer with the Montvale Police Department. Dispoto was arrested and charged with third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree endangering an injured victim, and fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law.
Jason R. Vradenburg (28) of Park Ridge: An officer with the Park Ridge Police Department. Vradenburg was charged with third-degree endangering an injured victim, third-degree tampering with public records, and fourth-degree hindering the apprehension of another.

The Cover-Up: False Information and Civilian Charges

According to prosecutors, the investigation revealed that Vradenburg, along with two civilians—Marina L. McGee and Thomas M. Schiavone—intentionally provided police with false information. These actions were allegedly designed to hide Officer Dispoto’s involvement in the initial assault. Both McGee and Schiavone have been charged with fourth-degree hindering.

All defendants were released pending their first appearance in Superior Court.

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