Deterrieynn T. Lewis
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of 24-year-old DETERRIEYNN T. LEWIS of Lithonia, GA, as well as charges filed against an 18-year-old man from DeKalb County, GA – who was a juvenile at the time of the offense – for an armed home invasion burglary incident. The arrest and charges are the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Deputy Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Cliffside Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Yakup Zoklu.
On Friday, May 9, 2025, at approximately 8:50 p.m., the Cliffside Park Police Department responded to an armed burglary in progress at a residence on Columbia Avenue in Cliffside Park, NJ. Upon arrival, responding officers determined that the suspects had already fled the scene. Surveillance cameras in and around the residence were reviewed, and three masked suspects, two of whom appeared to be brandishing firearms, were observed inside the home. Preliminary investigation confirmed that the three suspects burglarized the home, stealing high-end purses, before fleeing in a black Kia Sorento. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad was notified, responded to the scene, and initiated a joint investigation with the Cliffside Park Police Department.
During the months-long investigation, detectives identified the suspect vehicle and determined that DETERRIEYNN T. LEWIS and a then-17-year-old juvenile were two of the three masked suspects who committed the armed home invasion burglary in Cliffside Park, NJ.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with the assistance of the DeKalb County (GA) Police Department, detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad located and arrested DETERRIEYNN T. LEWIS near his residence in Lithonia, GA. LEWIS was charged with first-degree home invasion burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2.1(2); first-degree use of a juvenile to commit a criminal offense, N.J.S.A. 2C:24-9a; second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1); second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); and second-degree theft of movable property, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a. LEWIS was detained by local authorities in the DeKalb County Jail pending extradition to Bergen County, NJ.
The juvenile suspect, who was already in law enforcement custody in Georgia on an unrelated matter, was charged with juvenile delinquency, specifically: first-degree home invasion burglary, N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2.1(2); second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1); second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); and second-degree theft of movable property, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3a. The now-18-year-old suspect was served with the charges and remains in custody in Georgia pending extradition to Bergen County, NJ.
The investigation into this home invasion burglary, including the identity and whereabouts of the third suspect, is continuing. Anyone with information may contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Tips line at (201) 226-5532.
Prosecutor Mark Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the Cliffside Park Police Department for its assistance in this investigation. Moreover, he thanks the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office and the DeKalb County (GA) Police Department for their assistance and partnership throughout this case.
