Kevin A. Canessa Jr. : “Fleeing Thief Saved by Lyndhurst PD Officer”

The remarkable actions of a Lyndhurst police officer last weekend prevented a potentially tragic incident at a local motel. Officer Michael D’Alessandro’s quick thinking and bravery saved a man from jumping off a second-story balcony at the Winslow Motor Hotel, according to a statement from the Lyndhurst Police Department.

The incident took place on Saturday, June 1, 2024, around 9:24 p.m. Officer D’Alessandro was patrolling near Lyndhurst Town Hall Park on Delafield Avenue when he was alerted by a young boy whose bicycle had been stolen. The boy described the suspect as dressed in all black and wearing a ski mask, who took the bike and rode away. The bicycle was unattended but close to the juvenile.

Shortly after, Officer Sal Wartel spotted the suspect riding the stolen bike on Lake Avenue, heading towards Kearney Street. When Officer Wartel approached, the suspect fled, leading the officers on a pursuit through the local streets. The chase eventually led them to the parking lot of the Winslow Motor Hotel, where the stolen bike was found abandoned behind a dumpster.

During the search for the suspect, Officer D’Alessandro located him hiding in a stairwell leading to the motel’s second floor. When confronted, the suspect attempted to flee by climbing over the balcony railing. Officer D’Alessandro acted swiftly and managed to prevent the suspect from jumping, with the assistance of Officers Anthony Morreale and Wartel. Sgt. Richard Jasinski and Sgt. Phil Reina also played vital roles in securing the suspect.

The suspect, a 17-year-old from Clifton, was charged with theft, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. After the incident, he was taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation.

Det. Lt. Vincent Auteri praised the officers’ actions, stating, “The quick decision made by Officer D’Alessandro and the teamwork displayed by his colleagues prevented a potential tragedy. We commend their bravery and compassion in handling the situation effectively. We also extend our gratitude to the Rutherford and North Arlington police departments, as well as the Lyndhurst Fire Department, for their assistance during this incident.”

This incident highlights the dedication and professionalism of law enforcement officers in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.

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