*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.
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On Sept. 29 at 3:44 a.m., Patrolman Matthew Banta, while on routine patrol, observed two males walking on McGrath Drive dressed in all black clothing. Banta, with the assistance of Patrolman Shawn Cole stopped the males and began speaking to them due to recent car burglaries and auto thefts in the area.
Banta and Cole discovered that both males were allegedly in possession of items stolen from unlocked vehicles in the borough. Both males were placed under arrest and transported to Cresskill Police Headquarters.
At headquarters the Detective Bureau continued the investigation. Police said it determined that both men—Jonathan Park, 18, and Leonely Gomez, 20, both of Leonia—entered at least 10 unlocked vehicles specifically targeting dark houses without exterior lighting.
Some of the items stolen were sunglasses, wallets, cash, and loose change, police said.
Park and Gomez are charged with burglary, theft, and receiving stolen property. They were lodged in the Bergen County Jail, before being released that same day, sheriff’s records show. Both are awaiting their first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court
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