December 29, 1999
Elementary School Defaced with Swastikas after Burglary

Police are actively investigating leads to determine who broke into the Richard E. Byrd Elementary School and painted swastikas on the floor and carved one into the seat of a couch in the faculty room.

The investigation revealed that sometime between Sunday the 26th of December and 7AM on Tuesday the 28th, vandals broke into the school through a basement window.  They did significant damage to holiday displays, several classrooms and tore down projects done by the children.  They also took a hammer and smashed an ice cream machine and damaged several storage cabinets.  The vandals left beer cans in the school, along with the symbol of hatred (swastikas) in several locations.

Investigators from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and the NJ State Police have been notified due to the nature of the crime.  The scene was processed for fingerprints by the Bergen County Sheriff's Department Bureau of Criminal Identification.

Police spokesman, Captain William T. Kealy stated that this is the first bias crime reported in the borough in several years.   He  requested that anyone with information on this crime to contact the Glen Rock Police Detective Bureau at (201) 652-3800 or E-mail Detectives@Glenrocknj.net.  All information will be kept confidential.

December 22, 1999
Sex Offender Charged with Criminal Sexual Contact of a Girl

Glen Rock Detectives, along with investigators from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Sex Crimes Unit, have arrested Antwan Rassam, 65, of Palisade Ave., in Bogota, NJ and charged him with sexual assault and criminal sexual contact for molesting a girl he was measuring for clothing alterations in June of this year when he was working as a tailor.

Mr. Rassam, who served 2 years in prison for fondling five teenage girls in 1991, and is a registered sex offender under the provisions of Megan's Law, had been employed as freelance tailor in a  Borough dry cleaners when the attack occured.  He is accused of fondling a 15 year-old girl from Hawthorne, NJ, who also was employed at the cleaners.  He has not been empoyed at the Glen Rock store since June.

The investigation revealed that the girl was trying on a skirt that Rassam was planning on altering for her when he allegedly reached under the skirt and molested her.  She attempted to pull away, but he held her against her will for a couple of minutes.  The girl was too upset over the incident to tell anyone then and just recently told her mother, who contacted detectives.   Through the course of this investigation, it was learned that Mr. Rassam may have molested a second teenager at that same business, several months ago.  As of yet, there have been no additional charges filed for that incident.

Mr. Rassam is being held in Bergen County Jail on $100,000 bail.

December 4, 1999
Three Juveniles Arrested for Beer Party in the Arboretum

Officers arrested three local juveniles in the Arboretum, located on Doremus Avenue, for underage consumption of alcoholic beverages on Borough Property. The officers entered the Arboretum and found six to eight individuals sitting in chairs around a quarter keg of beer. Upon seeing the officers, all the individuals took off, however three were apprehended on the property of Home Fuel Oil Company on Doremus Ave. They were transported to police headquarters where their parents were notified and two juveniles were served with Station House Adjustment Complaints. The third juvenile was served with a juvenile complaint charging him with possession and/or consumption of alcohol in a public place while being under the legal age to do so.

December 02, 1999
Burglary & Theft to Residence on the Boulevard

Patrols, along with detectives, responded to a home in the 300 block of the Boulevard for a reported break and entry. Investigation revealed that the home was entered sometime between 7:30 AM and 1:15PM when the side door was kicked in. The actors then kicked open a locked interior door to gain access into the home. The bedrooms were ransacked and the homeowner reports that a laptop was taken, as well as various pieces of jewelry and a cell phone. The burglary was discovered at 3:45 PM when the homeowner’s 12 year old son came home from school and noticed the door open and broken. He ran to the next door neighbor’s home to call the police.

The scene was examined for fingerprints, with assistance from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Identification, however it appears the actor wore gloves and no fingerprints were found.

Any person with information about this burglary is asked to contact the Police Department’s Detective Bureau at (201) 652-3800

December 2, 1999
Resident Charged with Providing Alcohol to Minors.

A 52 year old resident was charged by Officer John Mastick for allegedly providing alcohol to minors at a party that was hosted in a Glen Rock home. The charges came about after an unrelated investigation revealed that numerous juveniles between the ages of 15 and 18 had attended a house party at the resident’s home, where beer was provided. The resident was charged under New Jersey’s "Host Law" that prohibits individuals from supplying alcoholic beverages to minors. The resident will be required to appear in Glen Rock Municipal Court to answer the charges.

November 27, 1999
Traffic stop leads to Narcotics Arrest

Officer Eric Reamy observed a blue Jeep CJ pass through a red traffic light at the intersection of Rock Road and Maple Ave. After stopping the vehicle for the traffic violation, he noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver. Through the course of his conversation with the occupants of the vehicle, he noticed that one of the occupants appeared to be concealing something under his shirt. It was determined that the passenger was trying to hide an open bottle of beer. The officer then observed a case of beer with two bottles missing. In his efforts to locate the remaining bottle of beer, one of the occupants admitted to having a baggie in his pocket with marijuana and a pot pipe in it. The individual, who was over 18, was arrested and served with a complaint summons for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and the paraphernalia used to smoke the drug. The remaining two occupants of the vehicle were issued summons for having an open alcoholic container in a vehicle.

November 7, 1999
Woman facing serious charges, including Assault by Auto & DWI,  after roll-over crash on State Highway 208

The Police Department is investigating a serious motor vehicle accident that occurred at 8:40PM on State Highway 208 North by Lincoln Ave.  The investigation centers around a 40 year old Wanaque woman who allegedly spend Sunday afternoon (11/07/99) drinking with a friend and then lost control while she was driving her sport-utility vehicle home.   Investigators stated that the vehicle apparently drifted off to the right side of the highway and then the operator attempted to correct her actions, but over-corrected and swerved into the concrete barrier causing the vehicle to roll over several times.

The driver and passenger, who were out of the vehicle upon officers' arrival, and were transported to St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center by the Glen Rock Vol. Ambulance Corps.  Both were released within several days suffering only minor injuries.  Police spokesman, Sgt. Fred Stahman, stated "that it was amazing that they survived the accident, let alone be release so quickly from the hospital with such minor injuries. The vehicle, (1999 Ford Explorer) was just flattened.  You can't even recognize it.  If someone were to look at this car and think about driving and drinking, it would definitely set you back a bit."

The operator of vehicle was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, assault by automobile, and reckless driving.

The accident was investigated by Glen Rock Officer's Reamy and McInerney under the direction of Sgt. Merselis. They were assisted by the Glen Rock Detective Bureau, as well as the Bergen County Police Department's Fatal Accident Team. The Glen Rock Fire Department was also on scene.

October 26, 1999
Burglary (Residential)

This department is investigating a residential burglary that occurred in the Indian Rock Condominium complex off of Harristown Road by State Highway 208. The resident was not home and no lights were on when the actor(s) kicked in the rear door to unit. The burglar alarm activated, however the actor(s) tore off the audible siren from the wall and then targeted the second floor master bedroom, where jewelry was taken. The resident arrived home just prior to patrols arriving in response to the burglary alarm, and may have scared off the actor(s).

The area was checked by patrols, as well as the Glen Rock K-9 unit, and it was determined that the actor(s) had a vehicle parked nearby. No evidence as to the identification of the actors was found at the scene after it was processed by Glen Rock Detectives along with assistance from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Dept. Bureau of Criminal Identification.

A Detective Bureau spokesman advised that this is not an isolated crime.  Similar burglaries are being investigated in Wyckoff, Mahwah, Hawthorne and Washington Township.  

In addition, the police department wants to remind all resident to give your house the appearance that someone is home by leaving lights on timers when you are away. (For more crime prevention information and tips, please click here to view our Crime Tips page.)

The Police Department needs your help! If you have any information about this crime or any other incident, please contact the Detective Bureau via phone or e-mail. All information will be held in the strictest of confidence.

October 25, 1999
Theft by Deception (Home Improvement Scam)

This department is investigating a theft by deception from a Glen Rock resident in which the resident contracted with a builder to perform renovations to their home. The resident made a partial payment to the builder in the sum of $42,000 and work began. Unfortunately, after only several days of work, the builder failed to show up and could no longer be contacted. While this is primarily a civil matter, the detective bureau is investigating as it appears that there may be a series of victims and therefore possibly a home improvement scam.

September 16, 1999
Glen Rock Officers' Heroic Efforts Saves Resident's Life with help from new Defibrillator

On September 16, 1999, Northern New Jersey was experiencing one of the worst hurricanes in recent history. Hurricane Floyd had the three on-duty Glen Rock police units responding to numerous calls for assistance throughout the Borough, however one of those calls would prove to anything but routine.

At about 4:00PM, in the mist of Floyd’s fury, Officer Eric Reamy was dispatched to a Dunham Road address on a report of a male that was not breathing. While en-route to the home, police dispatchers reported that the victim no longer had a pulse, and that they were attempting to provide the victim’s family with instructions on how to start CPR. As Officer Reamy approached the area, he found the street completely flooded and inadvertently drove his police car into three and a half feet of water, temporarily disabling it almost half a block away from the scene. The area leading to the victim's home was completely under water necessitating the officer to abandon his car (and K-9 partner) and attempt to reach the home on foot. As floodwaters filled up his knee high boots, the officer carried his medical kit containing oxygen, airways, and most importantly, an automated external defibrillator (AED) to the victim. (For more information about the AED, please view the Special Programs section.)

When the officer arrived at the house, the victim was evaluated and found to be without a pulse or breathing. After taking over CPR from the distraught family members, Officer Reamy performed an additional minute of  CPR and then placed the AED (electrodes) pads onto the victim’s chest. It determined that he had a "shockable" heart rhythm and prepared to deliver the electrical shock needed to change his heart rhythm from one of chaotic beating, to that of a normal function. After one shock was administered by the AED, the unit again analyzed the victim, and this time determined that no shock was advised and to check the victim for a pulse. Officer Reamy, who was now joined by Officer John Mastick, continued CPR until the arrival of the Emergency Medical Services. The Glen Rock Ambulance Corps, along with the paramedics from the Valley Hospital, responded and took over care of the victim. The Glen Rock Fire Department was also dispatched to assist in removing the victim from the home due to rising floodwaters.

Prior to the victim leaving for the hospital, a member of the EMS squad informed Officers Reamy and Mastick that the victim had a pulse and was attempting to breathe on his own.

Through contact with the victim’s family, it was learned that he has since made a full recovery from his near fatal heart attack.  This is in no small part due to the heroic efforts of Officer Reamy in the face of extremely hazardous circumstances and the use of the police department's newest piece of medical equipment: the defibrillator. In addition, this lifesaving effort could never have been accomplished if it were not for the excellent coordination and team efforts of Officer Mastick, Sgt. Gary Merselis, the Glen Rock Ambulance and Fire Departments, as well as the pre-arrival aid provided by the police telecommunicators at Northwest Bergen Central Dispatch.

July 02, 1999
Police seeking assistance looking for male on Lewdness & Assault Charges

The Glen Rock Police are investigating the assault of a 23 year old female jogger on the night of June 29, 1999 between 11:00PM and 11:30PM on Doremus Ave.,  near the boarder with Ridgewood.  The victim was approached by a male actor who exposed himself, chased her and grabbed the victim under the arm and by the hair.  The victim broke free and ran off uninjured

The actor is described as a male, black; approx. 6' tall; 35-40 years old; dirty sloppy hair, with some gray in it.  He had brown eyes with a "yellow gaze" and was wearing light blue or beige pants.    He partially covered his face with his shirt and had his pants open to expose himself.

An person who witnessed this event or has information on the identity of the actor is asked to call the Glen Rock Police Detective Bureau at (201) 670-3947 or 3948.  All information will be kept confidential.

July 01, 1999
Glen Rock Detectives in cooperation with the B.C. Prosecutor's Office arrest Hong Mei Zhang on charges of Engaging in Prostitution.

The Glen Rock Police Detective Bureau, under the direction of Chief Steven D. Cherry, along with detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Criminal Investigation Squad, under the direction of Chief Rodger Kane, arrested Hong Mei Zhang, DOB 01/06/64, of Flushing, Queens, New York, June 29, 1999 on charges of engaging in prostitution.  The charge is a disorderly persons offense and carries a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment.

Ms. Zhang, an employee of the TCM Massage Parlor in Glen Rock, was charged after she made sexual contact with an undercover police detective who had been sent to the location to investigate whether acts of prostitution were occurring at the establishment.

Ms. Zhang was charged on a summons and released.  She is scheduled to appear before the Honorable judge Paul Thrornwall in Glen Rock Municipal Court on July 27, 199 at 4PM for her first appearance.

The Prosecutor states that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  All questions are to be directed to the Assistant Prosecutor James Donohue at (201) 646-2417 or the Glen Rock Detective Bureau.

February 17, 1999
Reverend Dr. Roger W. Spencer appointed Police Chaplain

The Reverend Dr. Roger W. Spencer has been appointed as PBA Police Chaplain for the Glen Rock Police Department. Rev. Spencer, a long time Glen Rock resident, is Pastor of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Glen Rock.

The appointment was jointly announced by Police Chief Steven Cherry and PBA President Det. Dean Ackermann at Police HQ on February 17. Rev. Spencer volunteered to fill the vacancy after former Chaplain Father James Weiner was transferred from St. Catharine Church in Glen Rock to St. Michael’s in Cranford, NJ.

Chaplains serve police departments throughout the United States on a voluntary basis and play a vital role in the law enforcement community. While not sworn police officers, they are often found on the front lines at emergencies to provide valuable services to both the public and the members of the Police Department.