On January 16, 2015 at approximately 2:20 p.m. the Oakland Police responded to 54 Jerome Avenue on a reported burglary in progress. The tenant reported that two individuals, one male and one female, were attempting to gain access to the residence. Officer Ryan O’Keefe arrived on scene first and immediately observed one of these individuals climbing through a broken basement window. Shaina Harris, 19 years old of Haskell, NJ was taken into custody and charged with burglary and criminal mischief. Bail was set at $10,000 with a 10% option. She was later released after posting $1,000.
Harris’ accomplice was reported to have been seen running from the residence and was later apprehended on foot by Sgt. Keith Sanzari and Ptl. Keith Docwra on Ramapo Terrace. Zachary Coombs, 18, also of Haskell, has been charged with burglary. His bail was set at $15,000 with a 10% option. He was later released after posting a $1500 bond.
During the course of the investigation, officers on scene detected the strong odor of raw marijuana emanating from the burglarized residence. Further investigation later led to a search of the home which yielded approximately eight (8) pounds of marijuana and a sizable amount of U.S. currency. Detectives Mark Piercy and Ed McDermott conducted the search along with assistance of a crime scene investigator and canine unit from the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.
Darren Richardson, age 31, the tenant at 54 Jerome Ave, was charged with the possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, a second degree crime, possession of more than 5 lbs. of marijuana, a third degree crime, possession of drug paraphernalia and several additional drug-related offenses. Bail was set at $150,000.00, no 10%.
Richardson was believed to have fled the State prior to the charges being filed against him on January 17, 2015. He subsequently turned himself in to officers at the Oakland Police Department on February 10, 2015. At that time, additional charges were filed against him for possessing property derived from criminal activity and money laundering, both third degree offenses.
Bail was set at an additional $150,000.00 by JSC Liliana S. DeAvila-Silebi. Richardson was transported to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of posting $300,000.00 bail.
Assisting in the investigation and ensuing arrests were Lt. Chris Eldridge, Sgt. Tim Keenan, Ptl. Frank Fiore, Ptl. Broek, Ptl. Harvey and Ptl. Noury.