On The Job -May26th

By The Franklin Lakes Journal

Published: May 31, 2012

Excerpt From The Wyckoff Police press Release:

On May 26 at 2:19am, Ptl. Mark Tagliareni clocked a vehicle on radar traveling on Wyckoff Avenue at 76 MPH in a 35 MPH zone. The vehicle failed to stop for the officer, and a pursuit continued on Crescent Avenue. The vehicle pulled into the driveway of a Crescent Avenue home, and the driver immediately entered the house, ignoring the commands of the police to halt.

The home was the residence of the passenger in the vehicle, Daniel A. Chaupiz, 233 Crescent Avenue, age 20. Chaupiz refused to identify the driver of the car and refused to unlock the front door to allow police to arrest the driver. Chaupiz was then arrested for obstruction of justice.

Wyckoff Police officers Sgt. Michael Ragucci and Ptl. William Plisich were assisting in the investigation as well as officers from Midland Park and Allendale Police. The officers observed the driver inside of the home, and entered the house through an unlocked rear door.

Alfred J. Weick, 263 Pulis Avenue, Franklin Lakes, age 22; resisted arrest and was forcibly restrained. After being placed in a police car he attempted to kick out the windows, and ultimately had his feet restrained. Weick was charged with resisting arrest, eluding a police officer, driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a breath test, speeding and reckless driving. Bail was set at $25,000 and Weick was committed to the Bergen County Jail in default of bail. Chaupiz was released in his own recognizance. Both men are scheduled to appear in municipal court on June 20.

End of Official Police Press Release

Link: Patch Article on May 26th Arrest

Editor’s Note

Depending on the severity of the crime, The Journal routinely removes the names of those arrested from the police press release.

This policy is based on sympathy with The Right To Be Forgotten, though not necessarily an endorsement of it.  The Internet age has created a situation where poor judgement, indiscretions, and unfortunate circumstances can continue to haunt a person for a lifetime; sometimes they should, and sometimes The Right To Be Forgotten is a courtesy that should be extend.

The arrest of two young men from Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff, while unfortunate for the families, offers an opportunity to examine lives that apparently have spiraled out of control - though the suspects may disagree.

For Danny Chaupiz, the most recent arrest in Wyckoff follows another 2012 arrest in Fairlawn for eating food off the shelves of a supermarket and refusing to pay for it.. The Internet will allow everyone to easily remember these events which bury more positive reports of his charitable efforts regarding underpriveldged children.

For A.J. Weitz, his recent arrest and a previous one in 2009 will overshadow his civic involvement as a volunteer EMT member, and his public stances on issues of social justice and the environment.

One can hope that The Courtesy Of Being Forgotten might eventually prove true to these two local residents, but at present the situation only offers an opportunity to ask how and why these individual lives turned in a particularly destructive and dangerous direction; even with no answers, it’s important to ask.