Police Arrest Suspect in Rutherford Home Invasion
A man allegedly wore high heels – and very little else – when he trespassed in a Rutherford house and seriously scared two people inside. The peculiar incident happened around 5:00 p.m. at a home located on Eastern Way in Rutherford, NJ. The suspect, 39-year-old Justin Paul Christodoro, allegedly walked inside the home by accessing an unlocked backdoor, stepped into the living room, and startled the occupants of the home by yelling, “I’m here!” The two residents later told police that the suspect was wearing black high heels, a black t-shirt, and nothing else.
Patrick A. Feliciano, the Rutherford police captain, issued a statement about the case and said that Christodoro had not yet provided authorities with a sufficient explanation for his strange behavior. Christodoro reportedly entered the home despite the fact that he does not know the two residents. After he shouted at the residents, Christodoro quickly ran out of the house and fled the scene. Rutherford police detectives investigated the criminal incident and contacted neighboring police departments. Within just a few hours, Lyndhurst police officers located Christodoro in a vehicle parked in the driveway of a home on Lake Avenue in Lyndhurst. According to law enforcement, Christodoro was in the front seat of his car and sleeping. Christodoro was reportedly still wearing high heels and a t-shirt.
Disorderly Persons Offense Penalties in New Jersey
Christodoro was arrested by Lyndhurst police and then taken to the New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus to be evaluated for drug use. Police believe that Christodoro could have been under the influence of illicit drugs when he committed the criminal act. After Christodoro is eventually released from the hospital, he will probably be moved to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Christodoro has been charged with criminal trespassing in Rutherford and possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) and lewdness in Lyndhurst, NJ. Additionally, Christodoro has been cited for a traffic offense for blocking a driveway in Lyndhurst. Depending on how Bergen County prosecutors choose to proceed with the case, more criminal charges against Christodoro could be forthcoming.
If the case goes to trial in either Rutherford Municipal Court or Lyndhurst Municipal Court, it’s possible that Christodoro will be subject severe penalties. Although disorderly persons offenses are treated more leniently than felony-level offenses and don’t often result in jail time for first-time offenders, a conviction for a disorderly persons offense can still lead to the offender being sentenced to up to six (6) months in the Bergen County Correctional Center.
Contact Aggressive Criminal Defense Attorneys in Bergen County, NJ
The Tormey Law Firm handles disorderly persons offenses and felonies in courtrooms throughout Bergen County: Rutherford, Lyndhurst, and Newark. Our experienced criminal attorneys are prepared to help you fight your charges and avoid jail time. Contact us anytime to discuss the details of your case.