William Pollock
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces that on January 9, 2023, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team was activated due to an officer involved shooting that occurred in the area of Katz Avenue in the City of Paterson.
On January 9, 2023, shortly after 9:00 p.m., members of the Paterson Police Department Street Crimes Unit activated their emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop a motor vehicle that had been reported stolen. The stolen vehicle did not stop and attempted to evade the police. Officers pursued the vehicle down Katz Avenue, into Haledon, then back into Paterson. During the pursuit, the stolen vehicle drove over curbs, across several walkways and on the front lawn of residential apartments. The vehicle drove to the rear of a residential building where it came to rest as a result of being disabled from damage caused by the rough terrain. While trying to remove the two occupants of the vehicle, a Paterson Officer discharged one round from his service issued firearm. No one was struck by that round. Two Paterson Police Officers were injured in the encounter, both suffering non-life threatening injuries. Neither of the occupants of the vehicle were injured during the encounter.
The driver of the vehicle, William Pollock, 38 years old from Stanhope, New Jersey, has been charged by Warrant-Complaint with one count of second degree Eluding, one count of third degree Aggravated Assault, one count of third degree Receiving Stolen Property, two counts of third degree Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and the disorderly persons offense of Resisting Arrest. The passenger in the vehicle was not charged with any offenses related to the incident.
The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion for Pollock to be detained pretrial. The defendant’s first appearance and a hearing on the pretrial detention motion is scheduled before Judge Marybel Ramirez on Friday, January 13, 2023
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, the Attorney General Office of Public Integrity and Accountability was notified. A comprehensive conflicts inquiry, required pursuant to Section II, C, 2 of Attorney General Directive 2019-4, was conducted and no conflicts were detected.
The investigation in this matter, including the use of deadly force by police, remains active and ongoing. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office asks anyone with additional information about this incident to contact us on our tips line at 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org.