Metro

Undercover NJ cop shot during drug deal gone bad

A narcotics cop was wounded during an undercover drug buy and wild shootout at a New Jersey shopping mall on Tuesday, authorities said.

Gunfire erupted a little after 2:15 p.m. in Garfield, NJ, in the parking lot of a Marshalls department store, officials said.

Three suspects under arrest.

The wounded cop is from the Paramus Police Department and was working on a joint drug task force led by the Bergen County Prosecutor.

“This was an average street drug buy,” Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli said. “We do this every single day and every single night, but today this was a planned theft.”

It was supposed to be a $400 pot deal, before one of the suspects allegedly wanted all the buyer’s money.

“They set up this transaction but had no intention of actually carrying it out,” Molinelli said. “Narcotics is a dangerous practice, but these officers were prepared.”

The deal was going down when the gunman allegedly snuck up from behind.

“While the drug transaction was taking place a second suspect came up to the drivers side of the door, pointed a gun in at the Paramus police officer and said, ‘Give me everything that you have.’ He became very aggressive,” Molinelli said.

The Paramus officer grabbed for the suspect’s weapon, and the gunman fired twice, hitting the cop in the left side and ankle, officials said.

Backup officers swooped in and opened fire, hitting the suspect several times.

Both the cop and gunman are expected to survive their wounds.

Raphael Angel Vazquez Pinna, 25, of Passaic, was identified as the shooter. He’ll be charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

Melvin Guzman, 29, of Garfield, and Patrick Morel, 21, of Clifton, were also arrested.
Witnesses said they heard about 10 shots fired.

“At first it was just one then they started going off like fireworks. It was like 10 gunshots right after the next,” said Wilson Vergara, 38, works at an auto body shop across the street.

“It’s like something out of a movie. I’ve never seen this many police officers before. My heart was beating so fast. The guys with the guns were so close. They could have just crossed the street and come over here!”

Witness Mike Mazzola, 18, said at least 40 cops and a helicopter were on the scene within five minutes.
“It’s crazy but that sort of thing has been happening a lot around here lately,” Mazzola said.