Emanuel Baptist Church Break-in Reported

Police arrested a Clifton man early this morning after reports of a break-in at a local church.

Peter Vasil, 18, was arrested and charged with burglary and criminal mischief, Ridgewood police said after finding him at Emanuel Baptist Church at 3:51 a.m. 

Patrol squad responded to 14 Hope Street today on a report of two male parties breaking in. The responding officers set up a perimeter, and Ptl. Patrick Elwood caught Vasil exiting the building. He was released on bail pending a future court appearance.

Other police news:

• A West Palm Beach, FL resident reported March 23 that she had two rings taken from a bathroom near Kurth Cottage at The Valley Hospital. She told police she left the rings on a sink, and when she returned they rings were gone. The matter is under investigation by the Ridgewood Detective Bureau.
• A Ridgewood High School student reported March 24 that between March 2 and 4 her purse was stolen from a friend's gym locker. The matter is under investigation by the Ridgewood Detective Bureau.
• Det. Peter Youngberg and Det. Chris McDowell arrested Ridgewood resident John Johnson, 23, on a warrant from Paramus for a 2009 shoplifting charge on March 25. Johnson was turned over to Paramus Police and remanded to the Bergen County Jail.
• A village resident reported March 27 that he or she had received phone calls from a person who was attempting to extort money. The calls began a few months earlier and escalated to the caller threatening the resident. The resident had arranged a trip to Jamaica just prior to when the calls started. A check of the phone number revealed that the calls originated from Jamaica. This appears to be a phone scam and was confirmed with federal authorities of other similar reports. Any residents experiencing similar incidents are encouraged to contact the police. The matter is under investigation by the Ridgewood Detective Bureau.