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Extradited suspect faces multiple charges
(by Kathryn A. Burger - March 24, 2008)
A Mahwah man was taken into custody by Park Ridge Police on March 11 as he was being released on probation in
Norwich, Conn. His arrest was based on numerous criminal complaints stemming from a series incidents in the borough, dating back to October of last year.
What transpired between October and March is an example of dogged police work and inter-agency cooperation.
Park Ridge Police advise that Austin E. Parks, 29, described by Chief Joseph Madden as, “a very violent criminal” violated a restraining order and contacted his former girlfriend, a borough resident, numerous times and in a variety of ways in early October.
In
Park Ridge
Park Ridge Detective James Babcock provided the chronology of Parks’ actions and whereabouts
On Oct. 11, the victim reported to police that he had called many times, left a folder full of letters on her doorstep, and e-mailed her, all in violation of the restraining order. Charges of harassment and violations of the restraining order were filed based on the victim’s written statement and the suspect was entered into the national database as a wanted person.
A few days later, the victim came to headquarters again to report more incidents involving Parks. She told police that she had received at least eight phone calls from him, all from a private number, none of which she answered.
With police present at her home, another call came in. She answered it and indicated to the police it was Parks. She gave the phone to an officer who listened as the suspect, thinking he was speaking to the victim, made a threat. As soon as the officer identified himself, Parks hung up.
After consulting the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO), the matter was brought to Municipal Judge Charles Ryan. Based on the victim’s written account of these incidents, additional charges, including stalking, harassment, making terrorist threats, and violations of the restraining order, were filed.
In
Rhode Island
On Oct. 15, the borough police were contacted by the Hopkinton,
Rhode Island , police advising that they were currently pursuing Parks on foot after a report of domestic violence at his sister’s residence. They were advised to contact
Park Ridge once he had been apprehended.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted and a “no bail” warrant was issued. It was learned subsequently that the suspect had eluded Rhode Island Police and was still at large. Information about the borough charges and warrant were provided to the Hopkinton Police so the borough department would be advised if Parks was apprehended. The information would serve as a “detainer” so that Parks would not be released without
Park Ridge being notified in time to take him into custody.
In
Connecticut
The following day, the suspect was apprehended in
Norwich, Conn. He was charged with assault, possession of stolen property and weapons charges in their jurisdiction. Borough police advised their Norwich counterparts of the charges and warrant from their jurisdiction, and of Parks’ brush with the law in
Rhode Island .
Borough police learned that Parks was in jail on $200,000 bail and was scheduled to appear in court in
Norwich on Nov. 7.
The BCPO and the Sheriff’s Department’s Fugitive Squad were updated on the situation and agreed to assist the department with the extradition of Parks to face the borough charges upon his release.
Parks was subsequently remanded to Connecticut’s
Corrigan-Radgowski
Correction
Center . Officials there were provided with the borough charges and warrant information to serve as a detainer so that the department would be advised prior to Parks’ release.
Return to
Park Ridge
Parks was held at Corrigan until he was placed on probation on March 11. He waived extradition and was immediately taken into custody at Norwich Superior Court by Park Ridge Det. James Babcock and a detective from the Sheriff’s Department’s Fugitive Squad.
He was arraigned before Judge Ryan and remanded to the Bergen County Jail, in lieu of $30,000 bail. Babcock advised that as of March 24, Parks was still incarcerated there.
Parks still has outstanding charges in Rhode Island and is wanted for bail-jumping in
Rockland County, N.Y. Each jurisdiction will pursue their own charges and have placed detainers on him.
Babcock said, “Parks’ crime spree resulted in criminal charges in three states. He was out of control.”
The Park Ridge Police now await the BCPO’s decision on how they will proceed.
Park Ridge Chief of Police Joseph Madden advises that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He also acknowledged with thanks the cooperation of Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut District’s Attorney’s Office.
Kathryn A. Burger's e-mail address is burger@northjersey.com.
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