DOVER — In the late hours of Monday, April 1, 2024, Lyndhurst Police Officer Michael Clifford flagged down a vehicle for operating without an inspection sticker or a front license plate, following an improper turn near Schuyler and Page Avenues.
Approaching the vehicle, Clifford noticed a rear passenger hastily concealing something under her jacket. The driver, later identified as Yoshua Villafuerte-Cordova, 21, Dover, greeted Clifford upon his arrival. Two additional passengers, Cristian Pumarojas, 25, Kearny, and Diana Oliva-Gutierrez, 25, Paterson, claimed a language barrier.
During the investigation, Clifford spotted designer purses and clothing strewn across the back seat and floorboard, still tagged with prices. The absence of receipts led Clifford to ascertain the items had been stolen from local stores, alongside a device for removing security tags.
Totaling $5,673, the stolen goods prompted charges of receiving stolen property and possession of theft tools against Villafuerte-Cordova, Pumarojas, and Oliva-Gutierrez. Pumarojas, also facing an outstanding warrant from Newark, was incarcerated at Bergen County Jail.
Villafuerte-Cordova and Oliva-Gutierrez were released pending court appearances. Clifford received support from Sgt. Philip Reina, Officers Edward Montoya, and Nicollette Villani during the operation.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, this Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
