Canine cop helps find fake gun after deli robbery
North Bergen Police are searching for a man who allegedly held up a deli with a cigarette lighter resembling a handgun.
According to Detective Bureau Lt. Frank Cannella, police responded to a deli on Bergenwood Avenue on June 20 at approximately 12:25 a.m. after receiving a report of an alleged robbery.
Cannella said a male appearing to be in his early 20s and wearing a light blue t-shirt and blue jeans entered the store, allegedly produced what appeared to be a handgun, and demanded money.
Cannella said the suspect left the store with $550 and travelled east on a bicycle across Kennedy Boulevard and into West New York.
“The concerned citizen had him on tape,” said Cannella.
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Cannella said that police cordoned off the area of 46th Street and New York Avenue before requesting the help of the Jersey City Police K9 Unit.
With the aid of a police dog, they were able to find in the area an item that they believe was the “weapon” used, a cigarette lighter in the form of a handgun. The dog lost the scent of the suspect there.
Police were able to gather evidence at the scene of the crime, including fingerprints and DNA, and are working on several good leads, said Cannella.
Anyone with more information is asked to call the North Bergen Detective Bureau at (201) 392-2092.
Police find three in park, catch alleged car burglar
Police patrolling on JFK Boulevard East and 75th Street at 1:30 a.m. on June 18 noticed three people inside a local park after closing, said Cannella.
Cannella said that police approached the three men. Only two of them had proper identification.
When police were writing tickets to the two men with I.D., the third man allegedly “just walked away from the area,” said Cannella.
Several minutes later, police found the man on 76th Street and Kennedy Boulevard. When officers approached him and again tried to interview him, a concerned citizen told them that the suspect had allegedly attempted to break into several vehicles.
“The concerned citizen had him on tape,” said Cannella.
Upon further investigation police identified him as Mark Benivides, 20, of North Bergen. Cannella said that he is allegedly a known car burglar.
Benivides was charged with resisting arrest, criminal attempt of burglary, and hindering apprehension, and was given a summons for being in the park after hours.
Benivides also had a failure to appear warrant issued by Clifton with a $2,500 cash bail, Cannella said.
North Bergen Municipal Judge Nino Falcone set his bail at $15,000 cash.
Ramiro Carillo, 21, of West New York and Edwin Diossa, 26, of North Bergen, were given summonses for being in the park after closing. Diossa had a warrant issued by Union City, and after processing was transported there, police said.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.