OAKLAND, NJ — A simple traffic violation led Oakland police to a man wanted for burglary and credit card fraud, authorities confirmed.
At 4:04 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, Officers Nicholas Maricich and Timothy McDonough observed a white 2019 Honda Civic make an illegal left turn from Maple Avenue onto Ramapo Valley Road, according to Police Chief Timothy Keenan.
When officers pulled over the vehicle, the driver provided false identification, but Officer McDonough quickly recognized the man as Michael Bentley, 37, of Oakland. Bentley had an active warrant for his arrest in connection to a June 2025 car burglary case.
Surveillance footage from that case allegedly showed Bentley using stolen credit cards at a Paterson convenience store, Keenan said.
Bentley was charged with hindering apprehension and taken to the Bergen County Jail, where he now faces multiple charges including burglary, theft, and fraudulent use of credit cards.
