Press Release- Pedestrian struck

On Thursday, December 29, 2016 at approximately 5:31 pm, a pedestrian was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing S. Front St. / W. Clinton Ave. The pedestrian was crossing S. Front St., in a marked crosswalk at the time of the accident. The vehicle, a 2007 Honda Accord was stopped at the traffic light, facing northbound on S. Front St. The traffic light turned green at which time the vehicle proceeded and struck the pedestrian.

The pedestrian, identified as Lilian Cupa, age 57 of Bergenfield, NJ, sustained a lower leg injury. Bergenfield Volunteer Ambulance responded and transported the pedestrian to Englewood Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Lali Thomas, age 37, of Englewood, NJ was not injured and was issued two summonses, one for careless driving and one for Failure to yield to pedestrian.                              

Press Release Interrupted burglary / suspicious incident

On Tuesday 12/27/2016, at approximately 3:06 pm, a call was received from a neighbor of the victim, stating that a house invasion just occurred. Officers responded, secured the scene and rendered aid to the victim. The victim is a 71 year old male resident of Bergenfield. He was transported to the Hospital for his injuries which consisted of a gash on top of his head.

The victim stated that he was walking up the steps to his bedroom when he observed a tall, thin white male, wearing a gray sweater with a black winter cap walking down the steps. The victim reported that the male struck him with an object, tied his hands together before fleeing the home. It was reported that $10 and a debit card were stolen from the victim. A search of the area was conducted for the actor with negative results.

Bergen County Sheriff’s Dept. K-9 unit responded to assist. The victim’s statements and investigation has not confirmed or ruled out the incident as an interrupted burglary or any other incident. This is an active investigation and Detectives are following all potential leads. This is the first and only press release submitted by the Bergenfield Police Department. As the investigation unveils more details, updated press releases will follow.

The male victim has since been released from the hospital.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Bergenfield Police Department's Detective Bureau at 201-387-4000. ext. 4011

Press Release- Barricaded Subject / Arrest

On 11/2/2016, at approximately 2:04 pm, a call was received from a third party that there was a male threatening suicide with a gun inside of the residence. Officers responded but were unable to make contact with the male. The male along with the third party caller were in contact with each other while the incident was unfolding. Unable to directly make contact or visualization with the suicidal male, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Swat team was notified. Mutual aid was requested from Tenafly and Dumont PD’s for traffic control. The area was secured and awaiting the arrival of the SWAT team when the suicidal male exited his residence and surrendered. The suicidal male was transported to Bergen Regional Medical Center.

 Officers secured the residence and obtained a search warrant. The search of the home resulted in the finding of numerous weapons. The resident, who is not the suicidal caller, is identified as Edward Obertlik, age 42, of Bergenfield, NJ was subsequently arrested and charged with the following:

1.  2C:39-5b(1) Possession of a handgun

2.  2C:39-7B(1) Certain persons not to have weapons.

3.  2C:39-5J Possession of an assault firearm

4.  2C:39-5C(1) Possession of a rifle

5.  2C:39-5C(1)  Possession of a shotgun (4 counts)

Superior Court Judge Langan was contacted and set bail at $120,000 with 10% option to post bail.  Mr. Obertlik was remanded to BCJ in lieu of bail.

"Meet Our Officers", introducing Officer Eugenio Estevez

Eugenio was born in Jersey City, NJ and raised in Union City and Moonachie, NJ.  He attended Wood-Ridge High School and graduated in 2000.  Eugenio served in the United States Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007.  He graduated from Bergen Community College with an associates degree in 2013 and is currently seeking a Bachelor's degree from FDU.  

Eugenio began his law enforcement career in 2012 with the Hudson County Sheriff's Office as a Sheriff's Officer.  He then transferred to South Hackensack PD in 2014, and eventually hired by the Bergenfield Police Department off of the NJ Civil Service Law Enforcement List in 2015. Eugenio is currently serving in the patrol bureau for the PD and participating in the 4th Grade Program.  

When not at work, Eugenio likes to spend time with his friends and family, and preparing for an additional family member come 2017.  Eugenio looks forward to continuing to provide guidance to the youth of Bergenfield.

Seeking assistance with Hit and Run Motor Vehicle Crash involving a pedestrian

The Bergenfield Police Department is investigating a Hit and Run Motor Vehicle Crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on 10-10-16 at approximately 5:10 pm at the intersection of S. Washington Avenue and Bedford Avenue.

The victim, a 73 year old female from Westwood, was crossing S. Washington Avenue westbound, when a vehicle, described as a black Nissan SUV, made an illegal left turn onto S. Washington Avenue from Bedford Avenue, striking the victim. The Nissan SUV immediately reversed and left the scene traveling the wrong way on Bedford Avenue.

With the assistance of local surveillance video and the Bergenfield Nissan dealership, the fleeing vehicle is described as a Black 2013 Nissan Rogue SL with tinted windows. There is no further description for the driver of the vehicle. The vehicle possibly sustained front end damage or damage to the hood.

The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Pascack Valley Hospital.

Anyone with information regarding the crash, please contact the Bergenfield Police Department at 201-387-4000.

Press Release- Stabbing incident / arrest

On Saturday, 9-17-16 at approximately 8:36 pm, Officers were dispatched to the area of 202 Howard Drive on a report of a stabbing. Upon arrival at the scene, officers located a 36 year old male victim of Bergenfield, who had sustained a stab wound to his abdomen.  The victim reported that he was involved in a physical altercation with the suspect prior to being stabbed.  The suspect fled the scene and discarded the weapon prior to police arrival. The Bergen County Sheriff’s K9 unit was summoned to assist.

The victim was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery. The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and is expected to survive and make a full recovery.

The suspect was identified a short time later after he returned to the scene as Emmens Forges, 34 year old male of Phillipsburg, NJ.  Mr. Forges was placed under arrest and transported to Englewood Hospital by the Bergenfield Volunteer Ambulance Corp. for injuries he suffered during the physical altercation with the victim. Mr. Forges was treated and released to the custody of the Bergenfield Police Department.

Mr. Forges was charged with Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Tampering with Evidence. Bergenfield Municipal Court Judge Herbert set bail at $50,000.00 with no 10% option. Mr. Forges was transported to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of posting his bail.

Press Release- Eluding arrest

On Saturday, 9-3-16 at approximately 1:19 am, Officer Christopher Brugger observed a black Chevy driving recklessly in the area of Sylvan Avenue and Beechwood Street. Officer Brugger attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop, but the vehicle failed to stop and continued traveling southbound into Teaneck on S. Washington Avenue. Officer Brugger pursued the vehicle into Teaneck. Due to the high rate of speed of the fleeing vehicle and the potential for injury, Officer Brugger terminated the pursuit.

The vehicle continued traveling southbound, and shortly thereafter, crashed into another vehicle that was also traveling southbound on Teaneck Road. Officer Brugger responded to the Motor Vehicle Crash. Teaneck PD, along with the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corp responded to assist. The condition of the driver of the vehicle that was struck is unknown at this time, but any injuries are not considered life threatening.

The driver of the black Chevy, identified as Harry Allen, a 53 year old male from Bergenfield, was placed under arrest after attempting to walk away from the scene. Mr. Allen was also observed throwing a Newport cigarette pack, which was later found to contain marijuana.

Mr. Allen was transported to Holy Name Hospital by the Teaneck Ambulance Corp. for treatment for his injuries.

Upon his release, Mr. Allen was charged with Eluding, 2C:29-2B and Possession of CDS, 2C:35-10A(4) along with being issued several motor vehicle summonses for Reckless Driving, Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle, Driving while Suspended, Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle, and Failure to Stop.

Bail was set at $25,000, no 10% option, by Bergenfield Municipal Court Judge Helene Herbert. Mr. Allen was transported to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of posting his bail. Mr. Allen also had outstanding warrants for Failure to Appear from Englewood, NJ $600.00 bail, and a No Bail Warrant from Columbia South Carolina for Illegal Use of Credit Cards.