Bergen

North Bergen police arrest man in alleged teen kidnapping

North Bergen police arrest man in alleged teen kidnapping

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. Additional officers identified and arrested Canavalan on

Bergen County Man Convicted in Armed Robbery Cases

Bergen County Man Convicted in Armed Robbery Cases

**Jersey City, NJ -** A jury in Hudson County has convicted a Bergen County man for his role in several armed robberies across the county in 2022. The decision was reached on Tuesday following a two-week trial.

Joel Krecz, 37, from Hackensack, was found guilty of numerous charges, including four counts of Armed Robbery, one count of Robbery, five counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, five counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and five counts of Theft. He also faced charges of Aggravated Assault and Possession of Prohibited Weapons related to large capacity ammunition and hollow point bullets. However, Krecz was acquitted on one count of Aggravated Assault. The trial took place under the supervision of the Honorable John A. Young.

The incidents occurred between late Friday, April 29, 2022, and early Saturday, April 30, 2022. In these robberies, a handgun was used to demand money from business clerks. A collaborative investigation by local police departments and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs Task Force identified Krecz as