Angel Pacheco
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Clifton Police Chief Thomas Rinaldi announce that based upon an investigation by the Clifton Police Department, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Angel Pacheco, a 67-year-old male from Clifton, New Jersey has been charged in connection to the December 20, 2024 homicide that occurred in the area of Lakeview Avenue and Merselis Avenue in Clifton, New Jersey. Angel Pacheco is charged with Murder, first degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, second degree; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree.
At approximately 11:47 p.m. on December 20, 2024, members of the Clifton Police Department responded to the intersection of Lakeview Avenue and Merselis Avenue in the City of Clifton, New Jersey. When officers arrived on scene, they located the victim, Robert Rogers, a 51-year-old male from Elmwood Park, New Jersey, with a gunshot wound to his chest. The victim was transported to Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center where he was subsequently pronounced deceased. During the course of the investigation, detectives learned the victim exited his vehicle and approached a gray Ford F-150 pickup truck that was stopped at a redlight at the intersection of Lakeview Avenue and Merselis Avenue. An altercation ensued between the victim and the driver of the Ford F-150, identified as Angel Pacheco. During the altercation, Angel Pacheco pulled out a gun and shot the victim.
Angel Pacheco was arrested without incident. The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office will file a motion for pre-trial detention which will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a date and time to be determined by the Court.
Murder has a sentencing range from a minimum of 30 years up to life imprisonment; the crimes of Possession of a Handgun for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), and Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (Second Degree), each have a sentencing range of 5 to 10 years in prison.
Criminal complaints are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available.
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