North bergen police arrest man in alleged teen kidnapping — Police force department in full activity. Red light flasher of a patrol police car at sunday. Day patrolling of the city with lights flashers turned off. Security siren of the Canadian police vehicle.

NORTH BERGEN, NJ — A 35-year-old North Bergen man has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a 17-year-old girl on Wednesday. According to North Bergen Police Chief Robert J. Farley, Jr., the incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. near 79th Street and Bergenline Avenue.

The suspect, identified as Roberto Canavalan, faces charges of kidnapping and endangering the welfare of a child. Authorities reported that Canavalan was detained at the scene and subsequently taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility to await his court appearance.

Witnesses informed police they saw Canavalan running toward the victim, grabbing her, and dragging her several feet away from Bergenline Avenue in an apparent abduction attempt. The victim struggled for approximately two minutes before bystanders assisted her.

Three nurses from a nearby doctor’s office and a male passerby heard the girl’s cries for help. Working together, they intervened, successfully freeing her from Canavalan’s grasp.

“Responding officers located a female victim, a 17-year-old North Bergen resident, along with several witnesses,” stated the police report.

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