Subject Of IHOP Video Arrested In Teaneck: Police

TEANECK, NJ — A man who was featured in a popular internet video at the Teaneck iHOP restaurant was arrested in May, police said Thursday.

Jose Aquino-Arias, 33, of Paterson was charged with obstructing the administration of law, said Teaneck Deputy Police Chief Seth Kriegel on Thursday.

Kriegel said that police released the information Thursday only in response to media inquiries.

The video in question was shared on social media Sunday and has since accumulated more than 14,000 "likes" on Instagram and more than 6,000 on YouTube.

On May 24, Kriegel said, the Teaneck Police Department received a 9-1-1 call from someone reporting what the believed was an attempted luring incident near Cedar Lane.

"The caller reported that a man, later identified as Jose Aquino-Arias, had fled the area after being confronted while attempting to meet an individual," police said, "under circumstances that, if substantiated, could constitute an attempted luring offense."

Police in uniform found Aquino-Arias walking on a nearby street, but he ignored their commands to stop, Kriegel said.

He fled through several back yards, but was caught and arrested, police said.

The video shows the moments police began pursuing the suspect, after the 14:00 mark.

Detectives determined that the person who called 9-1-1 was "part of a group of private citizens who pose as minors online and attempt to arrange in-person meetings with individuals they believe may be seeking to engage in sexual activity with a minor."

Police are still investigating the incident that led to the incident, in conjunction with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Cyber Crimes Unit, they said.

After being processed for the fourth-degree complaint, Aquino-Arias was released with a summons, Kriegel said.

"The Teaneck Police Department strongly discourages members of the public from conducting
their own investigations, arranging confrontations, or attempting to act as vigilantes in response to suspected criminal activity," police said in a statement.

"While the Department recognizes and supports the importance of protecting children from sexual exploitation and other crimes, privately conducted 'stings' can interfere with legitimate law enforcement investigations, compromise
or improperly preserve evidence, create legal issues that may jeopardize a prosecution, and potentially place both the public and suspects in dangerous situations."

They said that anyone who encounters someone trying to exploit a child should immediately contact trained law enforcement.

Similar Sting In North Bergen

Back in July, a private "sting" in North Bergen resulted in charges for a school security guard from Newark. READ MORE: Influencer Helped North Bergen PD Catch Man Who Allegedly Wanted Sex With Girl: Cops

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Teaneck Police Department at 201-837-2600. Anonymous and confidential tips may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at bergencrimestoppers.org or by calling 844-466-6789. Tips may be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Crime Stoppers may offer cash rewards for information leading to an arrest.