On November 18, 2021 at 5:23 P.M., Secaucus Police Officer Jesus Rodriguez-Ferreira conducted a motor vehicle stop of a 2007 Hyundai Elantra on Paterson Plank Road for a loud muffler and broken headlight. The vehicle was found to be stolen out of East Rutherford, NJ and the operator, Tariq Alqanawi, 37, of Newark was arrested.
On November 23, 2021 at 10:33 A.M., Secaucus Police Officer Justin Machno conducted a motor vehicle stop of a 2007 Chrysler Sebring on County Avenue for improper display of a temporary registration, which was found to be forged. The vehicle was discovered to be stolen out of New York City. The operator George Valerio, 40, of Ozone Park, NY was arrested. He was also found in possession of electronics, blank checks, etc. that were stolen from victims in Atlantic City.
“In response to an increase in motor vehicle thefts statewide, Secaucus Police Officers will remain vigilant and proactively patrol our Town in an attempt to combat this ongoing problem,” Chief Dennis Miller said. “I commend the police officers involved in these arrests for their diligence and I fully support their commitment to law enforcement, despite working in a climate where some criminals are acting with impunity in our State.”
Tariq Alqanawi, was charged with Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7]. George Valerio was charged with two (2) counts of Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7], Hindering his own Apprehension [2C:29-3b(4)] and Forgery [2C:21-1]. George Valerio was also found to have an active warrant from Atlantic County for a “weapons offense” with no bail and an active warrant from Paramus for Theft of Moveable Property [2C:20-3a] with $1,000.00 bail. They were both lodged in the Hudson County Jail. These charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
