Fugitive In 1996 Poland Disco Killing Arrested In Bergen County

A man living in Garfield was arrested Wednesday morning for his alleged involvement in a 20-year-old murder in his native Poland, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Rafal Kaldon, 38, a Polish citizen, was charged with being a fugitive from a foreign country after United States Marshals arrested him. The arrest was the result of an extradition request relating to the murder, Fishman said.

Kaldon appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court Wednesday and was detained.

On the night of Aug. 25, 1996, Kaldon and an accomplice allegedly beat a man to death in a Polish disco, Fishman said. Kaldon and the man allegedly walked up to the man and, without speaking to him, beat him until he collapsed, authorities said.

Witnesses at the scene attempted to resuscitate the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Kaldon allegedly got a passport and cash from his sister immediately after the attack and fled the country, Fishman said.

The Polish government submitted a request for Kaldon's expedition through diplomatic channels.