Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of 28-year-old RAFAELA R. ALMEIDA of Newark, NJ; 25-year-old RYOMA M. JOHNS of Newark, NJ; 31-year-old RUAN G. RODRIGUES-MONTEIRO formerly of Bloomfield, NJ; and charges filed against 30-year-old IGOR GOMES ESPINDOLA DASILVA, formerly of Newark, NJ. These arrests and charges are the result of a 16-month investigation into a shooting that occurred in Rochelle Park in November 2024. The investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer, and the Rochelle Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Dean Pinto.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, at approximately 8:13 p.m., the Rochelle Park Police Department responded to shots fired in the area of Marion Avenue in Rochelle Park, NJ. While canvassing the neighborhood, law enforcement discovered ballistic evidence, as well as a nearby vehicle with multiple bullet holes in the front windshield and bumper. Law enforcement also recovered a note left on the windshield of the vehicle that threatened the life of the intended victim, as well as their friends and family.
Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad were notified, responded to the scene, and initiated a joint investigation with the Rochelle Park Police Department. As the investigation unfolded, detectives identified RUAN G. RODRIGUES-MONTEIRO as the suspect who organized the shooting. The 16-month investigation determined that RODRIGUES-MONTEIRO coordinated and conspired with other suspects, later identified as RAFAELA R. ALMEIDA, IGOR GOMES ESPINDOLA DASILVA, and RYOMA M. JOHNS, to threaten the victim and shoot at the victim’s unoccupied vehicle. The investigation further revealed that the actual shooting was carried out by an unknown suspect who has yet to be identified.
As a result of the lengthy investigation, on March 3, 2026, criminal charges were filed against the four identified suspects:
RAFAELA R. ALMEIDA was charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/39-4a(1).
IGOR GOMES ESPINDOLA DASILVA was charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/39-4a(1).
RYOMA M. JOHNS was charged with second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/39-4a(1); and third-degree conspiracy to commit terroristic threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a/12-3b.
RUAN G. RODRIGUES-MONTEIRO was charged with first-degree promotion of organized street crime, N.J.S.A. 2C:33-30a; second-degree conspiracy to possess a weapon for an unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/39-4a(1); and third-degree conspiracy to commit terroristic threats, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a/12-3b.
On Friday, March 5, 2026, RAFAELA R. ALMEIDA and RYOMA M. JOHNS were located near their respective residences in Newark, NJ, by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and placed under arrest without incident. ALMEIDA and JOHNS were subsequently transported to the Bergen County Jail before being released, pending future court proceedings.
On Thursday, March 12, 2026, RUAN G. RODRIGUES-MONTEIRO was served with his criminal complaint while already in the custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, where he is currently incarcerated on an unrelated matter.
As of this date, IGOR GOMES ESPINDOLA DASILVA’s whereabouts are unknown and he remains a fugitive from justice. Additionally, the identity of the suspect who fired the shots into the victim’s vehicle is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this case, including the location of IGOR GOMES ESPINDOLA DASILVA, may contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Tips line at (201) 226-5532.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella states that all charges in this case are merely accusations, and that all the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He thanks and recognizes the Rochelle Park Police Department for their partnership and ongoing assistance with this case. Moreover, Prosecutor Musella thanks the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their coordination in this matter. Finally, he would like to thank the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Englewood Police Department, Essex County Department of Corrections, New Jersey Department of Corrections, New Jersey State Police, and the Port Authority Police Department for their individual and collective assistance throughout this investigation.
