These Woodbridge Police Officers Honored For Heroism

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — This Wednesday night, multiple Woodbridge police officers were honored by the 200 Club of Middlesex County for heroic actions in the past two years.

From the 200 Club, here are three of the stories and officers honored this past Wednesday:

Sergeant Carlos Villegas, police officers Nicholas Iacovou, John Janowski, Stephen Kuzma and Thomas Zaremba

At 12:39 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020, Woodbridge Police were dispatched to Judy Drive in the Keasbey section for a call of a “man with a gun.” The reporting person was hiding in the basement bathroom after her brother, 24, threatened her and other family members with a handgun.

Police officers Nicholas Iacovou, John Janowski, Stephen Kuzma and Thomas Zaremba were the first to arrive, joined moments later by Sergeant Carlos Villegas. They found the mother of the suspect holding an infant and with a 4-year-old child seated in a car in the home's driveway. Police moved them away from the home and the mother told police that her son was intoxicated and got into an argument with his sister and pointed a handgun at her, threatening to kill her. Both the suspect and the sister were still inside the home.

Fearing for the sister’s safety, the police entered the home. They saw the side door was damaged and partially kicked in as they entered. Upon entry, they encountered another family member and quickly removed him from the home. Iacovou went into the basement, found the sister hiding in the bathroom and got her out.

They found the suspect upstairs and took him out of the home in handcuffs. Police also found a loaded .380 caliber handgun tucked underneath a bed mattress. It was later discovered that the handgun was reported stolen from Pennsylvania. The handgun had a laser sight attached to it and the victims said the laser was directed at them as the suspect pointed the gun at them and made threats.

"These police officers are hereby commended for a job well done," said the 200 Club on Wednesday night. "Acting quickly and putting themselves in harm’s way by entering the residence fearing that someone who was hiding inside from an armed and intoxicated aggressor. The officers were able to end the situation peacefully."

Police officers Samantha Siana, Daniel Baldassano and Robert Ptaszynski

At 10:37 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, police dispatch received a call that there was a man inside the West Kelly Street Farmer’s Market in the Menlo Park Terrace section of Woodbridge, threatening to kill someone while brandishing some type of sharp object.

Police Officer Samantha Siana was the first to arrive because of her close proximity to the call for service. Siana immediately entered the business and located the suspect near the seafood department. The suspect began yelling at Siana while removing an ice pick from his pocket.

Officer Siana drew her weapon and created distance between her and the suspect and radioed for back-up.

"While staying away from the suspect as he continued forward, Officer Siana knew because of bystanders in the background that she could not safely fire her weapon," said the 200 Club. "Officer Siana continued backing all the way to the front entrance as police officers Daniel Baldassano and Robert Ptaszynski arrived. Baldassano joined Siana in drawing his weapon and attempting to communicate with the suspect as Ptaszynski cleared the bystanders from the area."

Baldassano convinced the suspect to hand the ice pick over to Siana and surrender.

The suspect was arrested without further incident.

"These police officers are hereby commended for a job well done. Officer Siana without hesitation entered the business to confront and prevent the suspect from harming anyone," said the 200 Club. "They cleared bystanders and used restraint in not using deadly force to bring an extremely volatile situation to a peaceful conclusion."

Sergeant Gregory Strzepek; police officers Mario Aochoa, Cory Oberberger, detectives Paul Geoffroy, Nicole Hubner and Perry Penna, and police officers Michael Mason and Michel Tapia

At 7:17 p.m. on Monday, October 26, 2020, Woodbridge Police were sent to an apartment on Rahway Avenue in the Avenel section to check the welfare of a 33-year-old woman who had been diagnosed as bipolar and having a psychiatric episode. A check found past incidents at this address, some of which involved suicide attempts.

Sergeant Gregory Strzepek and police officers Mario Aochoa and Cory Oberberger were the first to arrive. The officers upon speaking to the reporting person ascertained that the woman in distress had barricaded herself in her apartment and was armed with a knife. The officers were able to contact the woman, who became aggressive, making threatening statements and secured the door using the deadbolt.

Sergeant Strzepek assumed command of the incident at which point he activated the department‘s crisis negotiators, also notifying mental health professionals. Strzepek had shields brought up and put in place to create a protective wall between the female’s door and the police. Speaking further with the person who called, they learned that the woman was pregnant, which removed the option of using less lethal options such as a conductive energy device (Taser is a brand name).

The crisis negotiators, detectives Paul Geoffroy, Nicole Hubner and Perry Penna along with police officers Michael Mason and Michel Tapia began to rotate negotiating with the woman who remained locked in her apartment. After several hours, the negotiators chose to use the woman's boyfriend in the negotiations, which aided in the woman exiting her apartment unarmed. She was taken to a hospital for evaluation and care.

"These police officers are hereby recognized for a job well done," said the 200 Club. "After lengthy negotiations officers convinced her to surrender peacefully, avoiding an armed confrontation , so that she could receive the mental health attention she needed."

Related: New Brunswick Police Honored For Saving 2 In Suicide Attempts (May 18)

Iselin Fire Chief Saved Drowning Girl, 4, In Ida Flooding In September (May 17)

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