The North Bergen and Guttenberg police departments decided for the first time to combine their forces for Mischief Night, the traditional night of pranks before Halloween.
On Oct. 30, a command center was set up and both departments monitored each others’ radios in the hopes that if gang violence and unsavory behavior sprang up, police would be able to respond quickly and strongly to the calls.
According to North Bergen Detective Bureau Commander Lt. Frank Cannella, his police department routinely works with other departments throughout the area. He said that every month, North Bergen holds meetings and invites surrounding agencies to attend.
“We’ve redrawn the lines [where] Bergen County doesn’t ‘end’ anymore and Hudson County doesn’t ‘begin’ ” said Cannella, explaining that in this densely packed urban area crime often spills into neighboring communities.
Both Cannella and Guttenberg Police Capt. Joel Magenheimer said that the night wound up being extremely quiet. Yet, several arrests were made.
Pot bust
On Oct. 30 at 8:30 p.m., Guttenberg investigators were patrolling a neighborhood in an unmarked car when the observed that the driver of a four-door green Acura allegedly was not wearing his seatbelt.
They made the driver pull over at 7005 Boulevard East. When approaching the window, the police immediately detected the smell of burnt marijuana, said Magenheimer.
Police asked the driver, Omar Guia Jr., 24, of Weehawken, to step out of the vehicle. Guia then allegedly admitted to have just smoked marijuana with his other passengers. There were two or three dime bags in the driver-side door, said Magenheimer, who added that police also found $180 dollars with the baggies.
Police asked the front passenger, Cristhian Arias, 23, of Jersey City to step out of the vehicle. Police said that Arias admitted that the rest of the burnt marijuana cigarette was in his right sock.
The driver consented to a search of the vehicle. Police found four Ziploc bags containing a large amount of greenish vegetation believed to be marijuana in the car’s glove compartment. Magenheimer said that around 3 ounces were found in total.
After being arrested and brought back to headquarters, Guia allegedly told police that he occasionally sold marijuana.
Arias allegedly admitted that he sold marijuana as well, including to Guia, and admitted that the large bags found in the glove compartment were his, police said.
Guia and Arias were charged with possession and distribution of a CDS, while Saldana was charged with just possession of CDS.
NB pot arrest, too
In North Bergen on that same night at 10 p.m., Officer William Fleischhauer conducted a motor vehicle stop at 70th Street and Kennedy Blvd.
He noticed that a strong smell of “raw” marijuana was emanating from the 2000 four-door Corolla, said Cannella.
The driver Robert Jeter, 24, of North Bergen, was questioned about the smell and cooperated with investigators by allegedly giving police a Ziploc bag containing what police believed to be marijuana.
Jeter and his passenger Jonathan Paula, 23, of Jersey City, were arrested for possession of a simple Controlled Dangerous Substance under 50 grams and released on a summons.
‘Only 20 bags’
While the command post only operated on the night of Oct. 30, police increased their presence throughout the week leading to Halloween.
“I have only 20 bags on me.” – Alleged comment from a suspect
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Police asked Garcia to stop and talk to them, but he allegedly continued to walk and then went into a store. Police followed him and noticed that Garcia allegedly was holding something in a closed fist, which he then put into his sweater.
Canella said that the suspect allegedly told police, “So what? You think you made a big bust. I have only 20 bags on me. I’ll be out on a summons tonight. The law is a joke.’”
Cannella said that $75 was seized, which was believed to be profits.
Police said that the bags contained green vegetation believed to be marijuana. He was arrested for distribution and possession of C.D.S. in a school zone. Judge Joseph Romano set his bail at $2500 and he was released on a $250 bail bond, said Cannella.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.