Crime & Safety

Ridgewood Man Arrested After Scuffle with Cops Outside Heights Comedy Club

Man had allegedly been trying to crash his girlfriend's Project Graduation party which stopped in Hasbrouck Heights.

A 19-year old Ridgewood man was arrested Thursday night after a confrontation with police officers outside Banana's Comedy Club, Detective Sgt. Michael Colaneri said Monday.  

Anthony Ventura, 19, was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest June 27 after he allegedly became “loud and aggressive” in the parking lot and then struggled as officers tried to arrest him, said Colaneri. 

Cops say Ventura had allegedly been following a group of buses carrying graduates of  Northern Highlands High School who were celebrating Project Graduation. Just before 2 a.m. that night police received a call from a chaperone on the bus saying that a gold Volvo, allegedly driven by Ventura, had been following them and was driving erratically, said Colaneri.

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Ventura was pulled over by Officer Paul Albanese on Route 17. Colaneri said Ventura “just wanted to talk to his girlfriend” who was in the graduating party and then promised the officer he would go home.

Less than an hour later, police arrived at Banana’s Comedy Club responding to a call of an unwanted party. Colaneri said Ventura allegedly tried to flee the area but officers found him hiding underneath a jeep in the parking lot.

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Colaneri said Ventura began to yell, scream and flail his arms while police tried to calm him down. He allegedly put up a struggle when Albanese and Officer Mike Vargo attempted to place him under arrest, Colaneri said. 

Ventura was brought to headquarters and released, said Colaneri.


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