Former New Jersey Officer Charged After Violent Bergenfield Home Break-In Incident
A former New Jersey police officer who previously served prison time in a Superstorm Sandy fraud case is now facing serious criminal charges after authorities accused him of forcing his way into a Bergenfield home during a violent confrontation that left multiple people injured, including two children.
According to Bergenfield police, the incident happened shortly before 6 p.m. on the 200 block of Phelps Avenue when 52-year-old Nikola Lulaj arrived at the residence to confront someone he reportedly knew personally. Investigators said the situation quickly escalated after Lulaj allegedly kicked in the front door of the home and became involved in a physical fight with the resident.
Police said the homeowner, also 52 years old, had armed himself with a metal baseball bat while trying to protect his two children inside the house. During the struggle, authorities claim Lulaj wrestled the bat away from the man before smashing the glass window on the front door. The violent encounter eventually moved outside into the street before officers arrived and stopped the fight.
Court documents state that the two children inside the residence suffered cuts caused by broken glass during the incident. Their father was also treated for minor injuries, including cuts to his face and arm along with a large bruise on his upper leg.
Investigators also noted that part of the confrontation was reportedly captured by a nearby surveillance camera, which may become important evidence as the case moves through court proceedings.
Following the investigation, authorities charged Lulaj with multiple offenses, including home invasion burglary, aggravated assault, criminal mischief that endangered another person, and weapons-related charges. Officials identified him as a former Hoboken police officer who currently lives in Seaside Heights.
Court records show that Lulaj is scheduled to appear in court Monday morning. As of Friday, he was not listed as an inmate in the Bergen County jail system.
This is not the first major criminal case involving Lulaj. In 2019, he was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted in a fraud scheme connected to Superstorm Sandy relief funds. Prosecutors said he and his wife falsely claimed that a seasonal home in Seaside Heights was their primary residence in order to receive approximately $187,000 in disaster assistance money. He was convicted on charges including conspiracy, theft by deception, and unsworn falsification.
The latest allegations have again placed public attention on the former officer, this time in connection with a violent dispute that investigators say endangered both adults and children inside the Bergenfield residence. Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the relationship between the suspect and the victim or what may have led to the confrontation.
Sources:
- Bergenfield Police Department
- New Jersey Court Records
- Official New Jersey State Authorities and Law Enforcement Statements