Indictment: Clifton Man Threatened Paterson Police Chief Over Race, Religion Indictment: Clifton Man Threatened Paterson Police Chief Over Race, Religion
Indictment: Clifton Man Threatened Paterson Police Chief Over Race, Religion UPDATE: Paterson’s first Muslim police chief wasn’t in the job long when authorities said he became the target of threatening texts from a Clifton man because of his race, religion and nationality. A grand jury in Paterson returned a terroristic threats indictment against Stefan Keco, 29, who’s been held in the Passaic County Jail since city detectives arrested and charged him more than a year ago with threatening Police Chief Ibrahim “Mike” Baycora. Baycora had been sworn to the position only a few weeks before receiving the threats, authorities said. Keco sent the texts to the chief “wit…
14 Busted, 923 Heroin Folds, 73 Crack Vials, $5,827 Cash Seized From Paterson Drug Den 14 Busted, 923 Heroin Folds, 73 Crack Vials, $5,827 Cash Seized From Paterson Drug Den
14 Busted, 923 Heroin Folds, 73 Crack Vials, $5,827 Cash Seized From Paterson Drug Den Increasing their intense focus on Paterson's most notorious drug neighborhoods, city police raided an apartment that a group of dealers had taken over to package and sell heroin and crack. Narcotics Division detectives and uniformed officers arrested buyers and sellers alike while seizing 923 heroin folds, 73 vials of crack and $5,827 in proceeds, authorities said. The four-story brick walkup on Carroll Street – in one of the city’s most notorious neighborhoods -- has been a frequent scene of police raids and arrests. Late last week, police seized four dealers there and charged them with …
Paterson Police Capt. John Phelan, 58, 'Touched More People Than Any Of Us Will Ever Know' Paterson Police Capt. John Phelan, 58, 'Touched More People Than Any Of Us Will Ever Know'
Paterson Police Capt. John Phelan, 58, 'Touched More People Than Any Of Us Will Ever Know' REQUIESCAT IN PACE: He was as wise as he was smart, a kind and selfless public servant who cared deeply for both his community and the officers he led. Paterson Police Capt. John Phelan died early Sunday at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center following medical complications. He was only 58. A Silk City native and Clifton resident, Phelan came from a family of responders. His father, Jack, retired as a Paterson police lieutenant. His wife of 15 years, Lourdes (Mercado) Phelan, is a city deputy police chief (inset photo above). Phelan joined the department in 1983 and hit the streets o…
HEROES: Paterson Firefighters Rescue Dad, Daughter, 3, From Burning Building HEROES: Paterson Firefighters Rescue Dad, Daughter, 3, From Burning Building
Heroes: Paterson Firefighters Rescue Dad, Daughter, 3, From Burning Building The flames drew closer as a Paterson father held his 3-year-old daughter over the railing of a third-floor fire escape Sunday morning. Then saviors arrived. Firefighters Robert Santore and Brian Hirschmanner told the dad to hold tight, then scaled the fire escape and rescued both. Father and daughter reportedly were doing fine after an ambulance took them to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center during the three-alarm blaze in their three-story brick walkup on Fair Street. Two other civilians were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening, auth…
'Yo, Cops!': Paterson Detectives Find Teen With Loaded Gun, Heroin For Sale Despite Warning 'Yo, Cops!': Paterson Detectives Find Teen With Loaded Gun, Heroin For Sale Despite Warning
'Yo, Cops!': Paterson Detectives Find Teen With Loaded Gun, Heroin For Sale Despite Warning The shout of "yo, cops!" wasn't fast enough to prevent plainclothes Paterson detectives from nabbing a 18-year-old dealer carrying a loaded gun, authorities said. Kenrick Flores heard the warning and threw down 30 bags of heroin as Detectives Mohammed Bashir and Yamil Pimienta approached a group gathered in front of a Slater Street home shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, city Police Director Jerry Speziale said. The detectives grabbed Flores and pulled a loaded .45-caliber semi-automatic Expert Para pistol from the his waistband, Speziale said. They also recovered the discarded dope, he said…
Double-Parked Driver Seized After Paterson Detective Spots Loaded Gun In Back Seat Double-Parked Driver Seized After Paterson Detective Spots Loaded Gun In Back Seat
Double-Parked Driver Seized After Paterson Detective Spots Loaded Gun In Back Seat A double-parked driver was arrested without incident after Paterson police detectives spotted a loaded gun on the back seat of his Jaguar, authorities said. Detectives Mohammed Bashir and Yamil Pimienta stopped Harry Alexander, 35, on Kearny Street near Union Avenue after his 2011 Jaguar blocked traffic around the corner, city Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. As they approached the vehicle, Pimienta spotted the 9mm semi-automatic Smith & Wesson pistol, he said. He alerted Bashir and together the detectives quickly seized Alexander and secured the gun, Speziale said. Alexand…
Four Guns Seized In Four Nights: Paterson Detectives On A Roll Four Guns Seized In Four Nights: Paterson Detectives On A Roll
Four Guns Seized In Four Nights: Paterson Detectives On A Roll A Paterson man who bolted when he was approached by city police detectives became the fourth suspect in four nights caught with a gun, authorities said. Detectives Brian Culmone and Mohammed Bashir approached a group of men who didn't live in a Market Street home near Pennington Street as they drank on the porch shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday, Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. One of the men -- identified as Dariel Mercedes -- took off down Market Street, ignoring the detectives' orders to stop, Speziale said. They chased Mercedes, who tripped and fell, sending a .45-caliber Rug…
TENSE STANDOFF: Paterson Ex-Con Armed With Loaded Shotgun Nabbed In Dead End Street TENSE STANDOFF: Paterson Ex-Con Armed With Loaded Shotgun Nabbed In Dead End Street
Tense Standoff: Paterson Ex-Con Armed With Loaded Shotgun Nabbed In Dead End Street A standoff ended peacefully after a Paterson ex-con armed with a loaded shotgun sped down a dead end in reverse and then repeatedly revved the engine of his car, forcing police to take cover, authorities said. Tipped off that he may be carrying a weapon, Detective John Traynor began following a Chevy Camaro with temporary New Jersey license plates Friday night after Stanley Williams, 45, drove off from a private driveway in the 200 block of Lawrence Street, Police Director Jerry Speziale said. Backups headed to the area as Traynor followed Williams, who then drove back to the Lawrence Stree…
Police Sweep Of Paterson Open-Air Drug Market Nets Local Dealers, Out-Of-Town Buyers Police Sweep Of Paterson Open-Air Drug Market Nets Local Dealers, Out-Of-Town Buyers
Police Sweep Of Paterson Open-Air Drug Market Nets Local Dealers, Out-Of-Town Buyers Paterson police scooped up local dealers and out-of-town buyers alike in a quick-strike response to calls from citizens who feared for their safety amid open-air neighborhood drug dealing. Narcotics Division detectives emerged with 11 arrests and nearly 600 bags of heroin and crack Friday after targeting Hamilton Avenue between Summer and Lake streets, Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. They also seized $7,133 in drug proceeds, he said. Charged with selling or having drugs for sale, Speziale said, were Erick Speight, 22, and Clarence Cooper, 42, both of Paterson, and Anthony Yildi…
Authorities: Fleeing NYS Buyer Leads Pursuing Paterson PD To 6,600 Heroin Bags, Gun, $32,800 Authorities: Fleeing NYS Buyer Leads Pursuing Paterson PD To 6,600 Heroin Bags, Gun, $32,800
Authorities: Fleeing NYS Buyer Leads Pursuing Paterson PD To 6,600 Heroin Bags, Gun, $32,800 What began as a Paterson police pursuit of a fleeing New York State drug buyer led to the seizure of 6,660 heroin folds, a loaded gun and $32,800 in proceeds, authorities said. Paramus and New Jersey State Police joined in chasing down John A. Garulli, 34, of New Windsor on the northbound Garden State Parkway, Paterson Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. Moments earlier, members of the city police Narcotics Division detectives saw Garulli buy drugs from ex-con Thomas N. Williams, 26, of Paterson at the corner of McLean Boulevard and East 38th Street, Speziale said. They tried to st…
FOUND! Missing Paterson Woman Home Safe After Two Weeks FOUND! Missing Paterson Woman Home Safe After Two Weeks
Found! Missing Paterson Woman Home Safe After Two Weeks A missing 20-year-old Paterson woman reportedly was home safe. "This is what community looks like," wrote Zellie Thomas, a leader of the Paterson BLM group, Wednesday morning in announcing the return of Nyrah Barner Curry. Both her father and brother confirmed her return after loved ones and others spoke at a City Council meeting about her disappearance and why they -- and not Paterson officials -- had to get the word out about her disappearance despite a missing persons report. Thomas didn't elaborate on why Curry was gone and where she'd been. Family members believed she was headed to a…
Detective Chase Down Paterson Teen Carrying Loaded Handgun, 170 Heroin Folds Detective Chase Down Paterson Teen Carrying Loaded Handgun, 170 Heroin Folds
Detective Chase Down Paterson Teen Carrying Loaded Handgun, 170 Heroin Folds Paterson detectives responding to a report of an armed assault chased down a teen who was carrying a loaded handgun and a 170 heroin folds, authorities said. Detectives Mohammad Bashir and Yamil Pimienta, responding to a report of a group assaulting two victims, approached a group of of four on the corner of Jefferson and North 5th Street, city Public Safety Director Jerry Speziale said. As they got out of their car, the detectives saw one hand a plastic bag to another and tell him to run. The boy, 17, tossed the bag as he ran through rear yards on North 4th Street before Detectives Musta…