Bronx Man Hits Paramus Cop with Car in Attempt to Flee, Cops Say

After attempting to purchase $4,000 in electronics with stolen credit cards at the Best Buy in the Garden State Plaza, a Bronx man struck a Paramus Police Officer in an attempt to get away, said Paramus Police Chief Kenneth Ehrenberg.

Nelson Rodriguez and Rafael Batista, both 41 and from the Bronx, attempted to buy thousands of dollars worth of iPad Airs and video games with several credit cards that had been previously reported stolen, said the release.

Officers Mike Ditolla and Daniel Derienzo, assigned to the Paramus Police Anti Crime Unit, observed the two men leaving the store shortly after police received the call, around 5:40 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Derienzo approached the vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. Rodriguez quickly sped away and struck Derienzo on his left arm in the process. 

The two men went down a dead end in the parking lot near Best Buy and were trapped. Officers Ditolla, Anthony Modaga and David Betancourt arrested the two men.

Derienzo was treated for bruises and cuts but was not seriously injured.

Rodriguez and Batista were transported to Bergen County Jail. Rodriguez’s bail was set at $50,000 and is being charged with robbery, aggravated assaulted on a police officer and eluding police. Batista’s bail was set at $35,000 and is being charged with robbery, fraud use of credit cards and possession of stolen credit cards.