For Immediate Release:
March 24, 2023

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of GARFIELD JONES (DOB: 6/02/1974; married; cook) of 441 E. 32nd Street, Apt. 1, Paterson, NJ and ROBERT MCCRAE of 592 East 29th Street, Apt. 5, Paterson, NJ (DOB: 9/18/1970; married; student bus aide) on drug distribution charges. The arrests are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love and the Hackensack Police Department under the direction of Officer-in-Charge Captain Michael Antista.

On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at approximately 5:27 p.m., the Hackensack Police Department received a 911 call reporting multiple unresponsive victims within the parking garage of 400 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, NJ. Responding officers found five females, who were apparently suffering from a drug-related overdose, as well as two good Samaritans who were performing CPR on the individuals. First responders administered Naloxone, and four of the victims were subsequently transported to the Hackensack University Medical Center for further treatment, while one remained at the scene and refused further medical treatment. As a result of the incident, a narcotics investigation was initiated by the Hackensack Police Department.

As a result of the investigation, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, GARFIELD JONES was charged with third-degree possession with the intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); and third-degree possession of a controlled substance, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1). JONES was arrested on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, and remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.

On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, as the result of a search warrant executed at his residence, ROBERT MCCRAE was charged with third-degree possession with the intent to distribute heroin in the amount of less than half an ounce, N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(3); and fourth-degree possession with the intent to distribute drug paraphernalia, N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3. MCCRAE was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ.

Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and he would like to thank the Hackensack Police Department, the Hackensack Fire Department, the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.