Alleged ‘Bloods’ gang members arrested
Guttenberg police have arrested three men they say were associated with the Bloods, a well-known gang.
Following two weeks of investigation and surveillance, three men were arrested after video showed them allegedly dealing guns out of a house on 68th Street in Guttenberg, police say.
“We had them on video [allegedly] passing around guns. It looked like they were [allegedly] dealing cocaine out of the house as well,” said Investigator Joseph Torello.
Police then obtained a warrant to search the house on June 15 and allegedly found a resident, Yasmani Marichal, 21, in possession of a revolver and bullets.
“We only got him with one weapon but we believe there was a second,” lead investigator Joseph Keselica said.
Marichal was charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a community weapon, and unlawful possession of a weapon.
With the aid of the Hudson County SWAT team, the Gang Unit of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, North Bergen Police, and other police units, two more men that were initially captured on the surveillance video were later found and arrested.
On July 27, Guttenberg police arrested Netfa Simon, 27, of North Bergen, and Angel Masso, 21, of Weehawken. Both men were arrested at their homes in the morning, according to police.
Masso was also allegedly found in possession of a machete.
Simon and Masso were charged with possession of a weapon, possession of a community weapon, and unlawful possession of a weapon, according to police.
Guttenberg Police Captain Joel Magenheimer, who was very grateful for all the county and town police forces that lent a hand, was also appreciative of the work of Keselica and Torello, the officers mostly responsible for handling the investigation.
“When it comes to gang activity, I have zero tolerance,” said Magenheimer. “I go all the way with it.”
He continued, “I don’t know about any other towns, but I’ll go to any extent to get you [gang members].”
“We really owe our captain and lieutenant a lot,” said Keselica. “If it wasn’t for captain and his dedication to crime, this wouldn’t have happened.”
He added, “He really lets us work and go after the bad guys.”
Bicycle bandit arrested
After receiving a tip, police arrested a man who was allegedly robbing people at gunpoint from his bicycle on Bergenline Avenue between 68th and 69th streets.
Police arrested Jose Rodriguez, 26, West New York, on July 23 at 1:30 a.m. after he allegedly pointed a starter pistol at a victim and threatened to inflict harm if he wasn’t paid an amount of money every week, police say.
Rodriguez was charged with terroristic threats, robbery, possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm for unlawful purposes, and extortion, according to police.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.