Guttenberg Police Department

08/04/2026

The Guttenberg Police Department is committed to keeping our streets safe for everyone. Throughout the months of August and September, officers will be conducting high-visibility pedestrian safety enforcement throughout the township, with a focus on educating motorists and pedestrians while enforcing New Jersey’s pedestrian safety laws.

Officers will be monitoring for:
✅ Drivers failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks
✅ Speeding and distracted driving near crosswalks
✅ Pedestrians crossing outside designated crosswalks or disregarding traffic signals

Remember:
🚶 Pedestrians have the right to safe crossings.
🚗 Drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks.

📖 Know the Law: N.J.S.A. 39:4-32 & 39:4-36

Together, we can make Guttenberg’s streets safer for everyone.

📍 Guttenberg Police Department
6808 Park Ave.
Guttenberg, NJ 07093
📞 (201) 868-3300

📲 See the attached Pedestrian Safety flyer for important safety tips and legal information.

TrafficSafety CrosswalkSafety DriveSafe WalkSafe CommunityPolicing NJTrafficSafety

07/24/2026

On Tuesday, July 22, 2026, at approximately 12:17 PM, Detectives from the Guttenberg Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit were in the vicinity of John F. Kennedy Boulevard East and 69th Street when Detectives observed a 2018 white Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross making an improper U-Turn in the middle of the intersection. After observing the Title 39 violations, the Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop on the white Mitsubishi.

Detectives approached the male driver of the vehicle, identified as Luis A. Valerio-Vargas, a 65-year-old resident of Allentown, Pennsylvania. During the stop, Valerio-Vargas explained that he had made a U-turn to find a parking spot. He informed the Detectives that he works in plumbing and construction and had traveled from Pennsylvania to pick up an individual near the Galaxy Towers to take him to a job site. After picking up this person, Valerio-Vargas said he was going to travel to the area of 98th Street and Bergenline Avenue, near a park, and pointed south toward the Town of West New York.

During the on-scene investigation, Detectives requested a narcotics K-9 from the North Bergen Police Department to respond to the location of the motor vehicle stop. Shortly thereafter, NBPD K-9 Rex and his handler arrived to conduct a free-air sniff of the vehicle. K-9 Rex indicated positively for the presence of narcotics within the vehicle. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was discovered that Valerio-Vargas had approximately 17,000 circular shaped blue pills believed to contain fentanyl. Mr. Valerio-Vargas was arrested and transported to the Guttenberg Police Department for processing.

Valerio-Vargas was charged with Manufacturing, Distributing, or Dispensing a Schedule I or II Controlled Dangerous Substance [2C:35-5b(4)], Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Within 500 Feet of Public Property [2C:35-7.1a], Counterfeit Drugs [2C:35-11.1a(3)], Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance Within 1,000 feet of School Property [2C:35-7], Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, [2C:35-10A(1)], Possession of Drug Paraphernalia [2C:36-3].

Mr. Valerio-Vargas was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Center, pending his first appearance in Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City.

Message from Chief Frank Pelaez: I want to commend the Detectives of the Criminal Investigation Unit for their diligence, dedication, and professionalism, as well as their proactive approach to policing. These detectives successfully apprehended a significant threat to our community by preventing 17,000 pills, believed to contain fentanyl, from flooding our streets. This action has potentially saved hundreds of innocent lives. I cannot thank these Detectives enough for their hard work day in and day out. I will continue to ensure that the Guttenberg Police Department maintains its proactive stance to keep our residents safe. I also want to take a moment and thank North Bergen Chief of Police Robert J. Farley Jr. and his K-9 Unit for their support and assistance during this incident.

The charges above are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty in a court of law.

07/07/2026

04/14/2026

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at approximately 8:38 AM, Police Officer Lesley Avila was conducting traffic enforcement in the area of 68th Street and Kennedy Boulevard. During this time, she observed a Tesla traveling northbound on Kennedy Boulevard, driven by Javier Martinez-Moncada, a 41-year-old male of North Bergen, who was using his cell phone while operating the vehicle [39:4-97.3]. P.O. L. Avila initiated a traffic stop for the Title 39 Violation.

As she approached the vehicle, she noticed the driver extending his hands outside the driver's front window. Inside the vehicle was a female passenger, who was later identified as the registered owner of the vehicle, and a juvenile. P.O. Karleigh Noll arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and assisted P.O. L Avila. After collecting Martinez-Moncada's driver's license and documentation, officers conducted a records check. They discovered that Martinez-Moncada had an active traffic warrant out of the Guttenberg Municipal Court for $550.

P.O. K. Noll assisted P.O. L. Avila in arresting Martinez-Moncada due to an outstanding warrant. During the arrest, Martinez-Moncada told the officers in Spanish that he had a firearm in his vehicle. Following this information, the occupants of the vehicle were ordered to exit. The North Bergen Police Department was contacted to confirm whether Martinez-Moncada had an active Fi****ms Identification Card or a Concealed Carry Permit. They verified that he did not possess either in the State of New Jersey. A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in the discovery of a Smith & Wesson SD40 VE .40 caliber handgun, which was equipped with a high-capacity magazine containing one 9mm Luger round.

Martinez-Moncada was arrested and transported to the Guttenberg Police Department for processing. Martinez-Moncada was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon [2C:39-5b(1)], Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose [2C:39:4a(1)], Violation of Firearm Regulations [2C:39-10a(1)], Manufacture, Transport, Disposition and Defacement of Weapons [2C:39-9d], Manufacture, Transport, Disposition and Defacement of Weapons, [2C:39-9h], Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons [2C:39-7b(3)]. Martinez-Moncada was issued one traffic summons for use of wireless telephone, electronic communication device in moving vehicles [39:4-97.3].

Javier Martinez-Moncada was remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Center, pending his first appearance in Hudson County Superior Court in Jersey City.

Message from Chief Frank Pelaez: I would like to commend Police Officer Lesley Avila for her proactive efforts, as well as all the officers who assisted in this arrest. P.O. L. Avila's actions reflect the dangerous work that officers undertake day in and day out. She successfully took an illegal firearm off the street, demonstrating her commitment to proactive policing. I want to thank her for her professionalism and dedication to keeping Guttenberg safe.

The charges above are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty in a court of law.