A Jersey City man was charged with attempted murder last night after firing shots at Secaucus police officers, Chief Dennis Miller announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Yesterday at approximately 7:45 p.m., Secaucus Police responded on a report that a female’s phone was taken from her by an acquaintance, Miller said in a statement.
The woman alleged that the male acquaintance also threatened her with a handgun while she was inside a County Avenue apartment.
At approximately 8:47 p.m., Secaucus Police Sgts. Joseph Fuardo and Peter Maraldo located a man fitting the description provided by the woman sitting in the open doorway of 25 County Avenue.
As the uniformed sergeants approached the doorway they observed a handgun protrude out of the doorway.
As the sergeants moved to a position of cover, the man, later identified as Dhanraj Dass, fired one round at the uniformed sergeants. As Maraldo moved to assume a position with a better tactical advantage, Dass fired a second round at him.
He then retreated inside the building and the sergeants and other responding Secaucus Patrol Division officers began to establish a perimeter around the location while a request was made for the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team.
Before the perimeter could be established, Secaucus police officers observed Dass exit from a different door of the building. He was taken into custody, however no firearm was recovered at the time of his arrest.
For the moment, it was unknown if there were any additional suspects involved in this incident that were still within the building, therefore a mutual aid request was broadcasted to surrounding locales to assist in securing a perimeter around the building.
A shelter in place was also ordered to area residents.
Prior to the arrival of the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, police officers from the Bayonne, West New York, North Bergen, Hoboken, and Lyndhurst Police Departments along with the New Jersey State Police and Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the mutual aid request.
Upon the arrival of Hudson County Regional SWAT Team, they safely evacuated employees in the affected area.
The Hudson County Regional SWAT Team then cleared the building of additional suspects.
During a court authorized search of 25 County Avenue, a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun was located along with other evidence related to the shooting. The handgun was discovered to have been stolen from Texas.
“This incident highlights the danger our police officers face on a daily basis and I am so grateful none of them were injured in this incident. The responding officers’ performance was courageous and disciplined based on the tenets of the training they are provided with,” Miller added.
“The overwhelming response from our mutual aid partners brings comfort to know that police officers will always run toward danger to assist their fellow officers, which is the foundation of what this profession is built upon. I want to personally thank every officer that responded to assist the Secaucus Police Department, your response was greatly valued.”
As a result, Dass, 59, of Jersey City, was charged with two counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, receiving stolen property, and unlawful possession of handgun ammunition.
