On April 18, 2024, Detective Lecca stopped the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee after observing the driver commit a moving violation near the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Davis Avenue. Upon speaking to the driver, it was determined that his driver’s license was suspended and that he had an outstanding criminal warrant out of Clifton in the amount of $500.00. The driver identified as Darrell Mendez, 35 of Newark, was provided with a new court date at the scene, issued 4 citations and released on his own recognizance. A valid driver was able to take possession of the vehicle.
On April 20, 2024, Detective Lecca observed a vehicle double parked on Harrison Avenue and impeding the flow of traffic. Detective Lecca attempted to get the driver’s attention to move by activating the police sirens to no avail. After several attempts, the driver began to drive away. A check of the vehicle’s registration revealed that the owner had an outstanding warrant out of North Arlington in the amount of $750.00. A traffic stop was conducted where the driver and registered owner was identified as Luis Morquechosalto, 34 of Kearny. He was arrested on his warrant and transported to police headquarters. The driver was able to post full cash bail and released from police custody.
On April 20, 2024, Detective Lecca was assigned to a special detail to crackdown on “distracted driving”. While on patrol, he noticed the driver of a gray Ford Explorer driving with his head down possibly texting and driving, and not wearing his seatbelt. Detective Lecca conducted a motor vehicle stop and met with the driver identified as Tyrek Grant, 32 of Newark. A check of his driving credentials revealed that he had a suspended license and was a wanted person out of the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office. The driver was removed from the vehicle and placed under arrest. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and turned over to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.
On April 21, 2024, Detective Lecca observed a black Honda Accord being driven in a reckless manner, specifically by driving at a high rate of speed and in a manner so as to endanger the lives of others on the road. Detective Lecca made a U-turn and attempted to close the distance where he was able to safely conduct a traffic stop on the ramp near Interstate 280 West. The driver identified as Tatiana Perez, 30 of Newark, provided her driver’s license. A check of her credentials revealed that she had an outstanding warrant out of Newark in the amount of $1,000.00. Sgt. Sackerman and Officer Melendez arrived on the scene to provide assistance. The driver was subsequently placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters and processed on her warrant. The passenger who had a valid driver’s license took possession of the vehicle with her permission. At police headquarters, she was able to post bail and was advised of her new court date. Furthermore, she was issued several moving violation summonses and released from custody.
On April 25, 2024, Det. Lecca and Officer Delgado were flagged down by a concerned citizen who stated that he observed a black male wearing a black hat and gray hoodie attempting to steal an electric scooter that was locked to the railing near the Harrison Path Station. The complainant stated that he would be willing to point out the suspect whom he saw attempting to commit the theft. He further stated that he observed the suspect using a long silver metal pipe to break the lock but was unsuccessful in doing so. Det. Lecca and Officer Delgado located the suspect and detained him pending further investigation. The officers observed damage to the lock and the metal pipe on the ground next to the scooter which corroborated the witness's statement. The suspect was uncooperative with the officers at the scene and provided two different names with contradicting dates of birth. The suspect was subsequently arrested and transported to police headquarters. He was positively identified as Oscar Carrion, 45 of Newark. The suspect was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Newark with a bail amount of $1,500.00. He was processed and charged with Criminal Attempted Theft, Possession of Burglary Tools, and Hindering Apprehension (for providing officers with a false name). He was later released on a summons complaint.
On April 26, 2024, Det. Lecca conducted a traffic stop on a white Lexus, which revealed that the registered owner had an outstanding warrant out of Kearny for $1,000.00. After confirming the status of the warrant, the driver identified as Cesar Contreras, 34 of Kearny, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters. The driver was able to post full cash bail and was later released pending a future court date.
On April 27, 2024, Officer Delgado conducted a traffic stop on a red Nissan Sentra after observing the driver commit a moving violation. The driver, identified as Alam Gerra, 30 of Bronx NY, provided the officer with his driver’s license. After checking his driving credentials, it was found that he was a wanted person out of the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) for child support. He was arrested and transported to police headquarters where custody was eventually turned over to the PCSO.
On May 1, 2024, Officer Delgado and Officer Mainiero were on routine patrol when they observed a Hispanic male fitting the description of a recent BOLO (be on the lookout) out of Kearny. The Kearny Police Department was actively looking for the suspect identified as Christian Otero, 29 of Harrison, for burglary and motor vehicle theft. He is alleged to have stolen a Mercedes-Benz and additional burglaries in Kearny. Officer Delgado and Mainiero stopped Mr. Otero near the intersection of South 5th and Ann Street. He was advised of his warrant and placed under arrest. He was transported to police headquarters where Kearny officers were waiting for his arrival. He was subsequently released to their custody.