Off-duty cop nabs alleged car burglar

NORTH BERGEN – Police have arrested a North Bergen man for stealing a car after an off-duty cop witnessed him in the alleged act on Sept. 10.
Alan Amador, 37, of North Bergen was arrested and charged with burglary, two counts of theft, obstruction of the law, resisting arrest, and was issued summonses for careless driving and for leaving the scene of two accidents.
According to North Bergen Detective Bureau Lt. Frank Cannella, Police Officer Anthony Cirri had just finished his shift around 12 a.m. and was driving home when he saw Amador in a car dealership lot on 46th Street and Tonnelle Avenue.
The alarm was going off in the building when Amador allegedly jumped into a grey Honda Pilot and left the lot at a high-rate of speed, cutting across Tonnelle Avenue.
Cirri followed the vehicle, notifying headquarters, and witnessed Amador allegedly strike a vehicle in the area of 46th Street and hit another on the corner of Cottage Avenue and 48th Street, which rendered his car inoperable. Amador then allegedly fled on foot.
Cirri caught up with Amador on 46th Street and Meadowview Avenue and identified himself as a police officer, but because he wasn’t in uniform, could not pursue Amador after he allegedly took off into an alleyway.
When the K-9 unit arrived, they were able to track Amador back to his house on 46th Street, said Cannella.
His bail was set at $50,000 with no 10 percent option.
For more police news, read this week’s North Bergen Reporter police beat. – Tricia Tirella