Ridgewood Cop Charged With Attempted Sex Assault: Prosecutor

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A village police officer was arrested after he tried to meet with who he thought was a 15-year-old girl for sex, said acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo.

Peter J. Tuchol Jr., 28, of Waldwick, was charged with attempted sexual assault, luring, attempted endangering the welfare of a child, along with several drug-related offenses, Calo said in a news release.

Members of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office Cyber Crimes Unit and Task Force spoke with Tuchol online beginning Thursday. Tuchol thought he was speaking with a 15-year-old girl and arranged to meet "her" for sex, Calo said.

On Monday, detectives executed a search warrant at Tuchol Jr.'s home and found controlled dangerous substances, Calo said.

Tuchol was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending a first court appearance at a later date.

Tuchol is an officer with the department and a member of the patrol unit, the department's website shows.

Capt. William Amoruso said the department is working closely with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office regarding Tuchol. He directed questions to the prosecutor's office, as they are the lead agency in the investigation.

Tuchol was sworn in as a Ridgewood police officer in 2016, according to a post on the department's Facebook page. He received a Lifesaving Award from the department in May 2018 for saving the life of a choking victim.

Mayor Ramon Hache could not be immediately reached for comment.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com