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PATERSON, N.J. – Four people in all -- one of whom remained at large Tuesday -- have been charged with attempted murder after authorities said they shot at an off-duty police officer before crashing their car Friday night in Paterson.
Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said she wouldn’t elaborate on what she said was a “use of force” committed by the off-duty Harrison police officer “so as not to jeopardize the safety of persons involved or to jeopardize the investigation in progress.”
Yordy Almonte, 23, and Carmen Ortega, 21, both of Paterson, were in custody, along with Adonis Almonte, 21, of the Bronx, Valdes said.
Still at large Tuesday, the prosecutor said, was Kenyi Cruz, 19, of Paterson.
Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, she said, the defendants “attempted to cause the death of another by firing a handgun at” the officer.
Their car then “crashed into a home at the corner of Oak and Madison Streets,” she said.
Almonte was arrested at the scene Friday night, the prosecutor said.
Ortega, who took off, was taken into custody on Saturday, she said.
The other Almonte was arrested Sunday.
The officer didn’t sustain any injuries, Valdes said. Almonte, meanwhile, was treated for injuries that she said weren’t life-threatening.
A judge ordered Yordy Almonte held on $500,000 bail, Ortega on $250,000 bail and Adonis Almonte on $150,000 bail, all in the Passaic County Jail.
All three, like the fugitive Cruz, were charged with first-degree attempted murder and various weapons possession counts.
Valdes sought the public's help finding Cruz, while emphasizing that he "should be considered armed and dangerous.
"[D]o not approach him," she said. "[C]ontact the police immediately."
You can also use 1-877-370-PCPO or tips@passaiccountynj.org, the prosecutor said.
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