3 cop impersonators broke into N.J. home, restrained residents and robbed them, police say

Three New York men who allegedly impersonated police officers to break into a multi-family home in Cliffside Park, then rob and restrain its residents, were arrested last week, investigators said.
Diogenes A. Rosario, 49, of New York, Leonel Perez, 38, of New York and Misael Diaz of Yonkers were each charged with three counts of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree impersonating a law enforcement officer, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office announced Monday.
The incident happened during the early morning hours of Oct. 12 when three men forced their way into the Crescent Lane home while wearing dark-colored clothing, face masks and imitation-style police badges, according to a statement from the office.
Once inside, the trio forcibly restrained three residents, two of whom were under the age of 14, the office said. Three additional juveniles remained asleep in the home during the robbery.
Once the awake residents were restrained, the suspects ransacked the residence and removed valuables, investigators said.
Detectives later identified a car with a stolen license plate that was used by the men to travel to and from the home, prosecutors said. Rosario, Perez and and Diaz were then identified as suspects.
Rasario was arrested at a home in Ridgefield on Oct. 30 and taken to the Bergen County Jail while Perez was taken into custody in New York City and taken to Rikers Island Jail, officials said. Perez will later be extradited to Bergen County. Detectives also searched a New York City home linked to both men.
Diaz was arrested in Yonkers on Nov. 1 and taken to the Westchester County Jail. He was also scheduled to be extradited to Bergen County, the office said.
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Chris Sheldon may be reached at [email protected].