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Operation Home Alone: 5 Rockland men arrested in New Jersey child sex predator sting

Published

7 years ago

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New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo today announced arrests of 16 alleged child predators in “Operation Home Alone,” a multi-agency undercover operation targeting men who allegedly were using social media in an attempt to lure underage girls and boys for sexual activity.

The underage “children” were, in fact, undercover officers. Most of the defendants were arrested when they arrived at a residence in Bergen County, where they allegedly expected to find their victim home alone. Instead, they found law enforcement officers prepared to arrest them and process any evidence seized.

The arrests in Operation Home Alone were made over a five-day period from April 11 through April 15. Seven defendants travelled to the undercover house from locations in New York State, and one traveled from Philadelphia.

The five men charged in ‘Operation Home Alone’ from Rockland County:

1. Kevin Roth, 26, Nanuet, N.Y. (Boy, 14) Roth is a teacher at the High School of Computers and Technology in Bronx, N.Y. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree). BCPO is prosecuting

2. Dariush Ghamarnezhad, 37, of Pomona, N.Y. (Girl, 14) Ghamarnezhad is a dental hygienist. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree). DCJ is prosecuting.

3. Shaheen Lariff, 49, of New City, N.Y. (Boy, 15) Lariff is a bank branch office manager. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree). DCJ is prosecuting.

4. Yosef Kriger, 31, of New City, N.Y. (Girl, 14) Kriger is a pharmaceuticals delivery driver. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree). BCPO is prosecuting.

5. Teodoro Alvarez Ortega, 28, of Suffern, N.Y. (Boy, 14) Avarez Ortega is a restaurant server. Charges: Luring (2nd degree), Attempted Sexual Assault on a Minor (2nd degree), Attempted Debauching Morals of a Child (3rd degree), Attempted Showing Obscene Material to a Minor (3rd degree). DCJ is prosecuting.

PRESS RELEASE – AG GREWAL ANNOUNCES ARRESTS OF 16 MEN IN “OPERATION HOME ALONE”

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Crime

Haverstraw Man Arrested in Manny Lopez Baseball Field Burglary

Published

4 weeks ago

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August 27, 2026

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A 39-year-old Haverstraw man has been arrested in connection with a burglary at the Manny Lopez Baseball Field, according to the Haverstraw Police Department.

Police said officers responded to the Village of Haverstraw property on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, following a report of a burglary.

During the investigation, officers determined that an unknown individual had unlawfully entered a building on the property and stolen two pieces of power equipment.

Following the investigation, police identified a suspect in connection with the burglary.

On Wednesday, Aug. 26, police arrested Robert Hernandez, 39, of Haverstraw, and charged him with burglary in the third degree and grand larceny in the fourth degree.

Hernandez was arraigned in Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

The charges are allegations. A criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Crime

Pomona Man Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Alert Leads Police to Narcotics Investigation

Published

1 month ago

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August 13, 2026

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A stolen vehicle alert led Haverstraw police to a 49-year-old Pomona man who authorities say was found with a large quantity of narcotics.

According to the Haverstraw Police Department, officers were alerted Tuesday, Aug. 11, after a license plate reader notification indicated that a stolen vehicle was entering the Village of Haverstraw.

Police later located the vehicle in Pomona and took the occupant into custody without incident.

The suspect was identified as Diamond Dickerson, 49, of Pomona.

During the investigation, police said Dickerson was found in possession of a large quantity of narcotics.

Dickerson was charged with:

  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree — Narcotic Drug with Intent to Sell, a Class B felony
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree — Narcotic Drug/Stimulant with Intent to Sell, a Class B felony
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony
  • Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree with Intent to Sell, a Class D felony
  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree — Motor Vehicle, a Class E felony
  • Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree, a Class A misdemeanor

Dickerson was transported to the Haverstraw Police Department for processing before being arraigned in West Haverstraw Village Justice Court.

He was remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.

The Haverstraw Police Department said the investigation was conducted with assistance from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Rockland County Intelligence Center.

The charges are allegations. A criminal complaint is not proof of guilt, and Dickerson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

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