HACKENSACK, N.J. — A Hackensack man was arrested after police investigating reports of overnight vehicle burglaries at a luxury apartment building allegedly found him naked, covered in feeces, and hiding inside a stairwell before he assaulted responding officers, authorities said.
Demond A. Clacken, 29, was taken into custody shortly after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday after officers responded to the building and located him in a stairwell, according to Hackensack Police Capt. Darrin DeWitt. Police said Clacken initially provided officers with a false name before allegedly attempting to flee.
Authorities said officers had called for an ambulance after encountering Clacken, but he allegedly became combative before he could be transported for medical evaluation.
- Police said officers located Demond A. Clacken inside a luxury apartment building while investigating vehicle burglaries.
- Authorities allege Clacken assaulted officers while attempting to flee and was later taken for a psychological evaluation.
- Court records show Clacken was awaiting trial in another case and has prior criminal charges in several New Jersey municipalities.
Police say officers were assaulted during arrest
According to police, Clacken allegedly struck officers in the face with a backpack and his arm after attempting to run from the scene.
“After a struggle, he was arrested, handcuffed, and searched. Officers found four crack pipes,” DeWitt said.
Following his arrest, Clacken was transported to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus for a psychological evaluation before being booked into the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court.
Previous encounters with law enforcement
Court records indicate Clacken was awaiting trial on a shoplifting charge filed in Elmwood Park at the time of his latest arrest.
Police records also show he was charged by Hackensack police in 2024 with harassment, violating a domestic violence restraining order and illegal possession of prescription drugs. Additional court records indicate prior charges in South Hackensack, Cliffside Park, Jersey City, Fairview, Englewood and Hoboken.
Earlier this year, Clacken was the subject of a missing person search before being located in Union City. Police there later charged him with making terroristic threats while allegedly possessing PCP, methadone and another weapon that was not a firearm.
Charges remain pending
Authorities did not immediately release the complete list of charges filed in the latest arrest because the announcement was incomplete.
All criminal charges remain allegations, and Clacken is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Why were police at the apartment building?
Hackensack police responded shortly after 2:30 a.m. to investigate reports of overnight vehicle burglaries at a luxury apartment building.
What do police allege happened?
Police allege Demond A. Clacken attempted to flee after giving officers a false name and assaulted officers before being taken into custody.
Where is Clacken being held?
After undergoing a psychological evaluation at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Clacken was booked into the Bergen County Jail pending his initial court appearance.
Sources: Hackensack Police Department, Bergen County Jail
