For full details, visit the Bergen County Examiner.

For details, click to read the full report on the Bergen County Examiner.

ENGLEWOOD (Sept. 24, 2009) Authorities are investigating a suspicious fire reported Wednesday night on the grounds of the Libyan government’s 4-acre estate on East Palisade Avenue in Englewood, according to published reports.

Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes told the Associated Press flammable debris was left in the driveway of the property Wednesday night. He said there was no damage to the house, according to the Bergen Record.

Englewood police declined to comment late Wednesday night.

The estate was the focus of a controversy over Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s plan to live in a tent on the property during his visit to the United Nations.  Politicians, area residents and others vocally opposed the plan and Gadhafi eventually did not choose to stay in New Jersey.

For the latest North Jersey breaking news, follow www.twitter.com/BergenLive or visit www.bergenlivenews.com

ncohen@bergenlivemedia.com

LEONIA (Sept. 22, 2009) The tractor-trailer truck hijacked late Tuesday afternoon from Ridgefield Park has been found abandoned in Overpeck Park in Leonia, police at the scene confirmed to Bergen Live News at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The suspects and victim are still missing and numerous law enforcement agencies are searching the area.

For details on the story, click here.

Police setup spotlights around the tractor-trailer reported hijacked. PHOTO: Bergen Live News Staff NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

Police investigate a tractor-trailer found in Overpeck Park late Tuesday. PHOTO: Bergen Live News Staff

ncohen@bergenlivemedia.com

RIDGEFIELD PARK (Sept. 22, 2009) Police are searching for a stolen tractor-trailer truck, possibly with a man tied up inside, taken at knifepoint from 30 Bergen Turnpike in Ridgefield Park this afternoon, authorities said.

At 5:54 p.m. Ridgefield Park police received word from Fort Lee police that a man had reported escaping from a truck stolen in Ridgefield Park after being tied up by two suspects, according to Lt. Clifford Hamblen, of the Ridgefield Park police.

The victim told police he and the other truck operator were tied up by two men, one carrying a machete, as they waited outside for a message from their company dispatch, Hamblen said.

One victim was tied up in the truck’s sleep compartment and another was put in the trailer.  The victim in the sleeper area was able to free his hands and jump from the truck on Fletcher Ave. in Fort Lee, according to Hamblen.

PHOTO: Google Maps

Police said the victim tied up in the trailer is possibly still with the truck.  The victim who escaped was being interviewed by police at the time of this report, according to Hamblen.

The truck was empty at the time of the robbery, Hamblen said.

A New Jersey State Police helicopter is assisting in the search, Sgt. Steven Jones, a state police spokesman said.

The truck has a California license plate of VP41970 and a black cab and a white trailer with yellow lettering reading “HEGARON,” police said.

Hamblen said the escaped victim was only able to see one suspect who is described as a dark-skinned Hispanic man, 6 feet 4 inches tall with a thin build and short black hair.

The victim who jumped suffered minor scrapes and scratches but was not seriously injured, Hamblen said.

ncohen@bergenlivemedia.com

MAHWAH (Sept. 18, 2009) A Rockland County woman was found stabbed this morning in the parking lot of the Sheraton Crossroads in Mahwah and her ex-husband is being sought for questioning, according to a statement from Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli.

Laura Matosek, of Valley Cottage, N.Y. was found by police at 8:30 a.m. with stab wounds to her torso and taken to Hackensack University Medical Center where she underwent surgery, the statement said.  She was in critical condition at the time of this report.

Authorities are looking for the woman’s ex-husband, Allan Pelcak Jr, 41, of Spring Valley, N.Y.  The couple separated approximately two and a half years ago, authorities said.

“At this time no arrest warrants have been signed but Mr. Pelcak is wanted for questioning,” Molinelli said in the statement issued late Friday afternoon.

They have two children together – an eight and five-year-old – who authorities said are safe.

Authorities urged anyone with information on Pelcak’s whereabouts to call the Mahwah Police Department at (201)529-1000 or the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit at (201)226-5653.

Updates will be released as more information becomes available.

HACKENSACK (Sept. 17, 2009) Bergen County authorities have arrested a married U.S. Air Force serviceman for allegedly engaging in a

William Carrasquillo, 30. Photo: BCPO

sexually explicit Internet chat with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl, according to County Prosecutor John Molinelli.

Members of the Bergen County Computer Crime Task Force arrested William Carrasquillo, 30, of Brown Mills, N.J., at his home Thursday morning.

“Carrasquillo initiated sexually explicit dialog and instructed the 14-year-old girl to masturbate at his direction,” said a statement from the Prosecutor’s Office.

To read more, click here.

FORT LEE (Sept. 16, 2009) The body of man who reportedly jumped from the George Washington Bridge has been recovered from the Hudson River, according to early reports.

A report came in at 10:28 a.m. of a man who had jumped from the bridge.  Rescue crews found the body approximately 20 minutes later and preliminary reports said the man was dead.

The unidentified man stopped his car on the bridge before jumping, according to officials.  Port Authority Police are investigating the incident with the assistance of the New York City Police Department Harbor Unit.

There are minor delays on the eastbound lanes of the bridge in Fort Lee, according to the Port Authority.

Check back for more information.

TRENTON (Sept. 14, 2009) Christopher Righetti, convicted in 1976 of murdering Kim Montelaro, then 20, of New Milford, was denied parole on his fourth attempt at freedom, according to Keep Bergen Safe, a grassroots organization established to protest his release.

“Convicted killer Christopher Righetti has been denied parole! A three-member Parole Board panel will hand down a decision in the next 3-4 weeks regarding when Righetti will be eligible for parole again,” said a message posted on the Keep Bergen Safe Web site.

For background on the Righetti case click here.