On October 14, a resident reported fraudulent activity on her bank accounts. A total of $11,000 was withdrawn from the accounts at a branch in Brooklyn, NY. Det. Sgt. Ragucci investigated, and with the assistance of the Rockland County NY Intelligence Center, identified a suspect. On November 8, he issued an arrest warrant for Christina J. Lapa, Paterson NJ, age 49, charging her with one count of 3rd degree theft by deception and one count of 3rd degree identity theft. Lapa currently remains at large.
On November 16, at approximately 12:00 PM, a resident of Fox Hollow Road reported smoke in their garage. Arriving officers observed a heavy smoke condition and determined that a fire had ignited in a mudroom attached to the garage. The officers deployed fire extinguishers to douse the fire. With the assistance of the Wyckoff Fire Department, the fire was fully extinguished. The cause is believed to be from lithium-ion batteries being charged in an electric bicycle. Residents are reminded to exercise extreme caution when charging electric scooters, bicycles, etc. and to never leave these unattended while charging.
A resident of Wiltsie Court reported that on November 17, at approximately11:00 PM, an unknown person attempted to enter his 2023 Audi. The vehicle was locked, and the suspect left the area. Remember to keep your car doors and house doors always locked.
On December 8, at approximately 10:00 PM, P.O. Kenneth Marcoux observed a suspicious vehicle at a business on Main Street. While further investigating, he determined that two individuals were loading their truck with used tires belonging to the business. They did not have the permission of the business owner to take the tires. They were placed under arrest and transported into headquarters. Gonzalo F. Olivera, Elizabeth NJ, age 23, was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, hindering apprehension by giving a false name, and possession of burglary tools. Geovanni Hernandez, Hillside NJ, age 26, was charged with theft and receiving stolen property. Both were remanded to the Bergen County Correctional and Rehabilitation Center.
With the Holiday Season upon us, the Wyckoff Police would like to remind all residents to remain vigilant. Criminal activity tends to increase during the Holidays resulting in a spike in residential burglaries, vehicle burglaries, shoplifting, package thefts, and scams. You can help us, and your neighbors, by promptly reporting any suspicious or out of the ordinary activity that you may observe. Be sure to provide the dispatcher with as much information as you can regarding the description of suspicious vehicles or persons, including their direction of travel.
The Wyckoff Police Department would like to point out that the above individuals have been charged with a crime, offense, and or motor vehicle violations. However, they are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty in a court of law.
We cannot stress enough the value of our residents remaining alert in their neighborhoods and reporting anything unusual or suspicious to the police, “Hear It! See It!, Report It!”
We encourage all residents to report ANY suspicious persons, vehicles, or activity occurring at any time to the Wyckoff Police – County Communications Center at 201-891-2121 or 911 in the event of an emergency.