Crime & Safety

Man Missing Out Of Nutley; Cops Search Hackensack River

Bhavesh Sangani​, 33, was reported missing out of Nutley. Police found his car in Secaucus and are searching the Hackensack River.

NUTLEY, NJ -- Multiple police agencies launched a search after a man was reported missing out of Nutley on Wednesday morning. Emergency responsers have since combed the Hackensack River and the Secaucus area without finding him, authorities said.

The Nutley Police Department announced that Bhavesh Sangani, 33, was reported missing at 11:27 a.m. Nutley officers then notified surrounding agencies.

Shortly afterwards, Secaucus police officers located Sangani's Nissan Altima near one of the city's parks, also finding his cell phone close by.

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Multiple agencies responded in that area and continue to search for Sangani as of Wednesday evening, authorities said.

Lyndhurst dive team and water rescue responders were involved in the search, along with responders from the Wallington, Bayonne, Oradell and Kearny fire departments, the New Jersey State Police, the Hudson County Sheriff's Office, Amtrak, and police from Maywood and Secaucus.

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Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said that detectives are talking to friends and family in an effort to determine Sangani's whereabouts.

"Although we are searching the waters of the Hackensack River, we remain hopeful he is unharmed," Strumolo said.

"At this time we are working closely with multiple agencies and keeping his family aware of our progress," Nutley Police Director Alphonse Petracco stated.

Sangani has "dark hair and eyes," according to Nutley police. [See below photograph, courtesy of the Nutley Police Department]

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