This section is based on data provided to the Northern Valley Press by neighborhood police departments. Due to pending court appearances and other variations, the following information shall be read in “press time” context.
BERGEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
Prosecutor:Condo manager stole money from association––In March 2016, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint that Raymond Gonzalez, 63, of Hasbrouck Heights, the owner and operator of RPM Management, had unlawfully accessed and stolen funds from the bank accounts of a Bergen County-based condominium association. An investigation conducted by Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit detectives revealed that between 2011 and 2016, Gonzalez, as the operator of the condominium association’s management company, had access to a line of credit account which had been opened for the association. Gonzalez removed monies from the account, transferred them into accounts held by his management company and used them for his personal benefit. In an effort to write fraudulent checks from the account, Gonzalez forged the signatures of two of the condominium association’s board members. The total theft, which took place over a period of five years, was in excess of $100,000. As a result of the investigation, Gonzalez was arrested on Aug. 22 in Paramus and was charged with one count of theft by deception, with a benefit greater than $75,000, a second degree crime; and two counts of forgery, each a third degree crime. Gonzalez was released, with a first court appearance set for Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
Police seize 23 kilos of cocaine near bridge––On Aug. 21, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force was conducting a drug trafficking investigation on Interstate 95 near the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee. During that investigation, detectives stopped Rodolmy Gonzalez-Hernandez as he operated a 2009 Buick Enclave in the area of the lower level toll plaza. A search of the vehicle revealed seven kilograms of suspected cocaine in a duffel bag on the back seat, as well as 16 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed in an electronically operated hidden compartment inside the vehicle. In total, 23 kilograms of cocaine were seized. Gonzalez-Hernandez, 32, of Bronx, N.Y., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, a crime in the first degree. He is currently lodged in Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance.
PALISADES INTERSTATE PARKWAY POLICE
Injury reported after jet skis collide on Hudson––On Aug. 20 at 4:15 p.m. the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department responded to reports of a jet ski collision in the area of the New Jersey tower of the George Washington Bridge. Marine Ops member Officer Anthony Burgos and Sgt. Raymond Walter responded to the scene in Marine 2. Upon arrival along with Officer Rocco Guerriero, they discovered two jet skis damaged and injured persons on the dock at Hazard’s Ramp, which is located just south of the New Jersey tower in the Fort Lee Section of the Palisades Interstate Park. Officer Burgos reported a victim with serious leg trauma and a juvenile who needed to be evaluated by emergency medical services. Fort Lee EMS and Englewood Hospital paramedics were requested and responded. The adult was later transported to Hackensack University Medical Center with injuries considered to be non-life threatening. The juvenile was released to family on scene. It was determined that a primary jet ski, operated by Rafael Rodriguez, a 20-year-old male from East Orange, was idle too close to shore when a second jet ski, operated by Carlos Cruz, a 24-year-old male from Newark, was operated at a high rate of speed and failed to slow in time. The second jet ski struck the first jet ski, causing damage and injury to the operator. Rodriguez had suffered the above referenced leg injury. All occupants were thrown into the water and assisted back to shore by bystanders prior to public safety arrival. Multiple marine violations were issued and both jet skis were impounded. Cruz was not injured.
Driver fled, crashed, then ran before capture––On Aug. 19 at about 1 a.m., Sgt. Jeffrey Kimbro was traveling northbound on the Palisades Interstate Parkway near interchange 3 (Alpine Section) when he observed a dark colored sports utility vehicle operating at a high rate of speed, tailgating and improperly passing other vehicles. Sgt. Kimbro activated his warning lights and siren in an attempt to stop the SUV. The vehicle accelerated and failed to stop. The vehicle then exited the Parkway at interchange 4 and continued southbound on US Rt. 9W. Sgt. Kimbro continued southbound on US Rt. 9W as well; however, he lost sight of the vehicle several times. A short time thereafter, Officers Michael Holland and Travis Philhower who were located at interchange 2 awaiting the pursuit, reported that they observed the suspect vehicle make a right turn on to Timberline Drive in Alpine and crash into the woods. The officers observed the operator exit the vehicle and flee on foot as they arrived and began foot pursuit. Officer Philhower placed the passenger into custody as Officer Holland and Sgt. Kimbro apprehended the operator. The passenger, identified as Chinelle Antoine, a 33-year-old female from Brooklyn, was held on outstanding contempt of court warrants. The operator was identified as Saquan Pearmon, a 31-year-old male also of Brooklyn. A search of the vehicle was subsequently conducted and officers located marijuana under 50 grams and distribution type packaging materials. Both occupants were transported to the New Jersey headquarters for processing. Pearmon was charged with: eluding/failure to stop, resisting arrest, creating a dangerous condition, possession of marijuana less than 50 grams, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of paraphernalia, as well as multiple motor vehicle violations.
Driver with no seat belt had marijuana––On Aug. 20 at 4:09 p.m., Patrolman Matthew Banta was on patrol, parked in the vacant lot at the intersection of Knickerbocker Road and Grant Avenue. He observed a vehicle stopped at the red light on Grant Avenue facing westbound. The driver of the vehicle was not wearing his seat belt. After the light turned green the vehicle continued west on Grant Avenue into Dumont. Officer Banta conducted a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Birch Road in Dumont. Dumont Officer Lisanti provided backup. Banta approached the vehicle on the passenger side and requested the driver – later identified as a 24-year-old man from Dumont – provide his documents. While gathering his documents, the officer detected an odor of raw marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The officer told the driver that he could smell raw marijuana and asked if there was anything illegal in the vehicle. The driver appeared to be nervous, his hands were shaking and his breathing was rapid. The driver said it was his little brother’s car and that he possibly smoked marijuana in it recently. The driver was asked to step out of the vehicle and was escorted to the rear of the car. Upon exiting the vehicle, Officer Lisanti observed a clear bag hanging out of the driver’s rear waist band and advised Banta of his observation. The driver informed the officers that the bag contained marijuana. Banta requested Sgt. Luciano to respond to his location. The vehicle was searched, which was negative for any more contraband. The driver was advised he was being placed under arrest, and was handcuffed, searched and secured in Sgt. Luciano’s vehicle. He was transported to headquarters without incident. He was served with a complaint summons for possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), processed and released pending a court appearance.
DEMAREST
Weekly activity: Aug. 17-23––The Demarest Police Department reports that between Aug. 17 and Aug. 23 it issued 37 summonses, responded to a motor vehicle crash and arrested a woman, age 54, of the borough, for an outstanding warrant.
NORTHVALE
Medevac fliesman with head injury to hospital–On Aug. 20 at 12:38 a.m. the Northvale Police Department responded to The Rockleigh catering hall located at 26 Paris Ave. for a reported male party who had passed out. Upon officers’ arrival, the 23-year-old male from Jersey City was still unconscious. It was determined that he had fallen and struck his head as he had a facial injury. Northvale Ambulance and Hackensack Medical Center Paramedics arrived on scene and at the request of paramedics, a medevac was requested due to the mechanism of injury. Atlantic Air One responded and landed at Hogan Park located on New York Avenue. The patient was flown to Westchester Medical Center.
NORWOOD
Man arrested for marijuana during traffic stop–-Shortly after 10 p.m. on Aug. 15, a Norwood patrolman stopped a vehicle for failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign at the intersection of BroadStreet and Blanch Avenue. While speaking with the occupants of the vehicle the officer was able to detect the odor of burnt marijuana. After questioning the occupants about the odor, the front seat passenger surrendered a marijuana cigarette that was hidden in the passenger door storage compartment. The vehicle occupants were asked to exit the vehicle and written consent to search the car was granted. The search of the vehicle yielded a bag that contained an unidentified substance believed to be a recreational narcotic. The front seat passenger, a 26-year-old male Northvale resident, admitted ownership of the marijuana cigarette and was placed under arrest. He was transported to Norwood Police Department Headquarters and charged with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. The unidentified substance was submitted to a police laboratory for identification. Additional criminal charges in this matter are pending.