Teen Arrested After Cops Bust Underage Drinking Party

A 17-year-old Wyckoff resident who police say was left alone by his parents was arrested Friday night on charges that he let underage friends drink alcohol at his Lawlins Road home.

Police first got wind of the event when a loud argument on the front yard of the home prompted neighbors to call police around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, March 16, according to .

When cops arrived at the scene more than a dozen revelers fled, but police located 20 more inside the home — some hiding in bathrooms and closets, Wyckoff Police Chief Benjamin Fox said. 

"Alcoholic beverages were around the house and it was determined that the 17 year old son of the homeowners was hosting a party while home alone," Fox said. 

The 17-year-old was arrested for providing property for underage persons to consume alcoholic beverages, and a complaint was filed with Bergen County Juvenile Court, Fox said.

Police called the underage partygoers' parents to pick up their kids from the scene, Fox said. None of the "generally high school age" kids were charged by police.

No injuries resulted resulted from the Friday night party, according to Fox, who warned of the potential danger that comes with these types of dalliances with underage drinking. 

"Parents need to be very careful in leaving teenagers home alone overnight... time and time again we see these kids take advantage of the situation and host an underage drinking party," Fox said. "The personal liability to the parents is tremendous if something serious happens because of the consumption of alcohol." 

Fox suggested that parents who must their teens unattended at home overnight should have a neighbor or friend check up on them to assure that their child isn't abusing his freedom. 

"Each year in Wyckoff we send kids to the hospital with their alcohol content at dangerous levels — people die from this," Fox said. "It's not a joke to be taken lightly and some parents need to be more assertive in what happens in their homes."