Two Charged After Police Break up Brawl

Two people were arrested after police responded to a fistfight between approximately seven people at the Rockledge Mall.

Police arrived in the area of CVS just after 2 a.m. June 25 to find a brawl in progress. While attempting to restore order, one participant, Keith R. Rando, 19, of Hawthorne, allegedly made "threatening movements and actions" toward officers, leading to a charge of disorderly conduct. However, he soon fled the area while cuffed as police worked to subdue the fight, authorities said. Rando was soon found on the property of a Birch Parkway home and was additionally charged with escape from custody, resisting arrest and obstructing a governmental function by allegedly freeing himself from handcuffs.

Meanwhile, the Wyckoff Volunteer Ambulance Corps responded to treat injuries to one of the fight participants and transported a 21-year-old Wayne man to Valley Hospital, where he was treated for facial injuries and confined due to intoxication, police said.

Another fight participant, Jonathan R. Hart, 19, of Ohio was charged with drunken driving and driving with a revoked license.

Rando was released after posting $5,000 bail, and Hart was jailed at headquarters for 12 hours, until his alcohol level allowed his release, police said.

Responding officers included Sgt. Daniel Kellogg and Patrolmen Mark Tagliareni and Michael DeMaio. Police were assisted by authorities from Midland Park, Mahwah, Franklin Lakes and Waldwick, as well.

• A township teen was held for psychiatric evaluation after allegedly damaging his parents' house and injuring an officer.

Police responded to a home in the Sicomac section of the township at 6 p.m. June 28 on a report that the homeowner's 17-year-old son was damaging their house. Responding officers—Sgt. Robert MacKay, Sgt. Michael Ragucci and Patrolman Peter Goodman—determined that the teen went on a spree of mischief after an argument over spending money; kicking his parents' car and ripping the mailbox post from the ground, which he used to break deck railings and a window in the home, police said.

Additionally, the teen allegedly shoved Goodman when the officers confronted him, and a scuffle led to a knee injury for the officer.

The teen was transported to Bergen Regional Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation and was charged on juvenile complaints of aggravated assault on a police officer and criminal mischief.

• Three people were arrested after police broke up a teen drinking party on June 26.

Patrolman Michael DeMaio's observed several individuals in the roadway of Madison Avenue at about 1:15 a.m. that morning, including Jeff F. Riggitano, 18, of Paramus, who police said was carrying beer cans. He was arrested and charged with possession of alcohol while under the legal drinking age.

The homeowner, who had been sleeping during the party, ordered everyone to leave her home but reported to police that she heard noises in her basement. Ragucci searched and found Kevin Artiaga, 19, of Dumont, who was allegedly crouched behind boxes, attempting to hide. Artiaga was charged with trespassing.

Riggitano, Kress and Artiaga were released on their own recognizance and will appear in Municipal Court on July 22.

• A Wyckoff man was charged with assault after allegedly injuring his stepfather during an argument.

Police responded to a Mountain Avenue home on June 25 on a report of violence and sad the 28-year-old resident hurt his stepfather's arm during an altercation. The resident was transported to the hospital for treatment of a medical condition following his arrest but was subsequently served with an assault complaint.

He was released on his own recognizance and will appear in Municipal Court.

• A Godwin Avenue man was charged with trespassing on his mother's property on June 22.

Justin D. Tamboer, 31, had been instructed by his mother to leave the property but had been caught trying to enter the home through a window, police said. Tamboer was advised to leave and warned that he would be arrested if he returned. At approximately 1:23 a.m., Lt. Charles Van Dyk said he observed Tamboer return to the house in a taxi and was again told to leave the area. Tamboer left on foot, police said, but Van Dyk observed him in the home's yard a half-hour later, leading to the trespassing charge.

Tamboer was committed to Bergen County jail in default of $1,000 bail.