Paramus Police Department

Chief Robert Guidetti and Deputy Chief Frank Scott extend their congratulations and gratitude to Lieutenant Todd Colaianni
on his 25 years of service to the Paramus Police Department.

Chief Robert Guidetti and Deputy Chief Frank Scott extend their congratulations and gratitude to Captain Thomas Schroeder on his 25 years of service to the Paramus Police Department.

Chief Robert Guidetti and Deputy Chief Frank Scott extend their congratulations and gratitude to Captain Norman Gin on his 25 years of service to the Paramus Police Department.

Phenomenal police work resulting in an arrest by Officer Perna.

𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎: 𝗙𝘂𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟮𝟱 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿

𝐁𝐲 𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨 (𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬)

𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧: "You did your job,” a Paterson fugitive wanted on attempted murder charges stemming from a shooting 25 years ago told a Paramus police officer who took him into custody.

Yancy Haywood, 52, apparently managed to hide in plain sight since a shooting in the Silk City at 1:37 a.m. Oct 16, 2001.

Around 3:45 p.m. this past Wednesday (Aug. 5th), Officer Nicholas Perna stopped a 2009 Grey Kia on westbound Route 4 with a Florida license plate “obscured by a heavily tinted license plate cover,” Paramus Police Chief Robert Guidetti said.

Haywood, who was a passenger, claimed to be his brother, James, the chief told Independent Online News this morning (Fri., Aug. 7th).

The thing is: The real James Haywood, 53 (𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰), has been imprisoned since March 2011 on kidnapping, assault, resisting arrest and weapons convictions.

Both Haywood and the driver insisted he was, in fact, his brother, Guidetti said.

But Perna -- a former Ridgefield Park officer who joined the Paramus force in 2019 -- was persistent.

For starters, Haywood was "unable to provide identification and gave inconsistent responses regarding his identity,” the chief said.

There were also “multiple inconsistencies in his statements,” he said.

What’s more, Perna noticed a tattoo and scars that matched the description on the arrest warrant, which also noted that Haywood had used the alias.

Haywood was positively identified after being fingerprinted at headquarters, Guidetti said.

“During processing, Haywood acknowledged the investigation by telling Officer Perna, ‘Officer, you did your job’,” the chief said.

The driver was released at the scene and issued motor vehicle summonses for driving without a license and failing to provide required documents.

Haywood, meanwhile, was charged with providing false information to a law enforcement officer in an attempt to hinder his arrest, Guidetti told Independent Online News before issuing a release to the rest of the area media.

Police sent Haywood to Bergen County’s jail on the outstanding warrant, which charges him with first-degree attempted murder and two weapons offenses.

“I commend Officer Perna for his exceptional work,” Guidetti said. “This arrest is an excellent example of the professionalism, instincts, and investigative skills our officers bring to work every day."

Come out and join us tonight!

After more than 25 years of dedicated service, Detective Lieutenant Michael Cebulski retired from the Paramus Police Department on July 31, 2026.

Since joining the department in 2001, Detective Lieutenant Cebulski has exemplified professionalism, integrity, and leadership. From his work as a patrol officer and detective to supervising major investigations as Detective Lieutenant.

Throughout his distinguished career, he was recognized for his efforts in removing impaired drivers from our roadways, participated in major criminal and homicide investigations, served with the Bergen County Multi-Agency Resource Sharing Squad, and spent more than eight years as President of Paramus PBA 186, tirelessly advocating for his fellow officers.

Congratulations on your retirement, Detective Lieutenant Cebulski, and thank you for your more than 25 years of honorable service. We wish you and your family health, happiness, and success in this next chapter.

We would like to congratulate and welcome five new officers who were formally sworn in at the last Mayor & Council meeting:
Officer Joseph Vilca • Badge #499
Officer Anthony Liggio Jr. • Badge #500
Officer James Brazofsky • Badge #501
Officer William Ehrenberg • Badge #502
Officer Gina Alessio • Badge #503

Come out and join us on Tuesday!

Bergen County Mosquito Control will be performing a truck mounted spray in Paramus on Thursday, 07/30/2026, between the hours of 10:00 PM and 11:59 PM. Spraying will be in the area north of Midland Avenue and west of Route 17. They will be spraying Duet adulticide to eliminate active, adult mosquitoes. Please keep your windows closed during these hours. Additional information can be found on the county website:

Truck Spray Schedule – Bergen County, NJ – Official Website Truck Spray ScheduleHome / Bergen County Department of Health Services / Environmental Health / Office of Mosquito & Vector Control / Truck Spray Schedule For maps of the treatment areas please visit the Treatment Area MAP link below: Area MAPStatus118/3/2026(Rain Date...

And just like that, the 2026 Paramus Junior Police Academy has come to an incredible close!

Day 5 was the perfect way to wrap up an unforgettable week. Our recruits had the opportunity to train alongside the Paramus Fire Company 2 and the Paramus Rescue Squad, gaining valuable hands-on experience before celebrating their accomplishments at graduation.

Over the past five days, these recruits have demonstrated dedication, teamwork, perseverance, and a willingness to learn. We couldn't be prouder of everything they achieved throughout the academy.

Congratulations to each and every one of this year's recruits! Thank you to all of our instructors, partner agencies, volunteers, and families for helping make the 2026 Paramus Junior Police Academy such a memorable and successful experience!