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Passaic Co. Fugitive Caught At Traffic Stop After 2 Decades

The man, wanted for attempted murder, used his brother's identity to evade authorities, police say.

Yancy Haywood, 52, of Paterson, faces charges after Paramus police pulled him over on Wednesday. (Paramus Police Department)

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A Passaic County man wanted for a two-decade-old attempted murder was arrested at a traffic stop in Bergen County this week.

Yancy Haywood, 52, of Paterson, faces charges after Paramus police pulled him over on Wednesday.

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At around 3:45 p.m., police pulled over a grey Kia on Route 4 in Paramus after seeing that its Florida plates were partly obscured with a heavily tinted cover, officials said.

The Kia's passenger initially provided police with a false first name and false date of birth, according to authorities.

A records check revealed that the information matched an alias used by Haywood, who was wanted by the Passaic County Sheriff's Office for first-degree attempted murder.

Officials added that Haywood's alias was the actual name of his brother, who has been in prison since 2011.

Haywood was arrested for the attempted murder charge and for providing false information to a law enforcement officer.

Officials said Haywood told the arresting policeman, "Officer, you did your job."

Patch has reached out to the Passaic County Sheriff's Office for details on what prompted the first-degree attempted murder charge 20 years ago and will report any updates.

— With reporting from Caren Lissner.

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