CLOSTER, N.J.—On Aug. 29 at 3:35 p.m., Detective Keith Dombkowski was on a plain clothes patrol in an unmarked police vehicle when he observed a residence—[location redacted]—with an open front door.
Due to previous calls for service, Dombkowski was aware the residence was vacant, and he radioed for backup.
Patrolman Ryan Walsh arrived on the scene and they made entry into the open front door, immediately detecting a strong odor of burnt marijuana. Upon searching the interior, they located signs of fresh narcotic use as well as a large quantity of beer bottles. A window in the master bedroom was open and a cold energy drink was on the floor.
“Due to the above contributing factors, it appeared an unknown suspect fled the residence upon or just prior to our entry,” Dombkowski wrote.
Officers checked the surrounding streets, and soon observed a male party quickly walking, who appeared extremely nervous and walking at an unusually fast pace. His clothes were disheveled and he was continuously looking over his shoulder. Due to his suspicious behavior and his proximity to the residence, Dombkowski radioed to Walsh, who made contact with the man in a driveway.
As Dombkowski approached Walsh and the man in question, he observed a clear plastic bag containing what appeared to be a bundle of heroin in his left hand, underneath the bottom of a Gatorade bottle. Dombkowski approached the man and told him not to move and drop the plastic bag; he proceeded to scream, “Don’t touch me, I have a bad back!” and quickly moved his hands towards his waist band.
“Patrolman Walsh and I grabbed Mr. [redacted] by his arms to handcuff him. He forcefully ripped his arms away from our control and dropped to the ground,” Dombkowski wrote. “Due to our inability to gain and maintain control of [the suspect] and fearful he was attempting to access a weapon from his waist band, we physically placed him on a vehicle in the driveway. After a brief struggle, [the suspect] was subsequently secured with handcuffs.”
A search resulted in a clear plastic bag containing heroin being located stuffed in the suspect’s pants and underwear. In total, 30 wax folds of heroin were located on scene and secured.
The man was transported back to police headquarters, where he was charged with distribution of heroin, possession of heroin, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, and failure to turn a controlled dangerous substance over to law enforcement.
He was given a court date at Hackensack criminal division and released from police custody without incident.
