Story by Ethan
On March 20th, 2026, the arrest of Rafaela R. Almeida, Ryoma M. Johns, Ruan G. Rodrigues-Monteiro, and Igor Gomes Espindola Dasilva, ages 28, 25, 31, and 30, was announced by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Rafaela R. Almeida and Igor Gomes Espindola Dasilva were charged with second-degree Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Ryoma M. Johns was charged with second-degree Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Terroristic Threats. Ruan G. Rodrigues-Monteiro was charged with first-degree Promotion of Organized Street Crime, second-degree Conspiracy to Possess a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and third-degree Conspiracy to Commit Terroristic Threats. The arrest and charges against Rafaela R. Almeida, Ryoma M. Johns, Ruan G. Rodrigues-Monteiro, and Igor Gomes Espindola Dasilva were a result of an investigation handled by Chief Jeff Angermeyer of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Chief Dean Pinto of the Rochelle Park Police Department.
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, at approximately 8:13 p.m. on November 22nd, 2024, shots fired in the area of Marion Avenue in Rochelle Park, New Jersey, were responded to by the Rochelle Park Police Department. Responding officers were surveying the area when they discovered ballistic evidence and a vehicle with bullet holes in the front windshield and bumper. Also on the vehicle was a note that was threatening the lives of the victim, their family, and their friends. Detectives identified Ruan G. Rodrigues-Monteiro to be allegedly responsible for the organization of the shooting alongside coordinating with the other three defendants. The individual responsible for carrying out the shooting has yet to be identified. On March 5th, 2026, Rafaela R. Almeida and Ryoma M. Johns were located and arrested without incident outside their residences. On March 12th, 2026, Ruan G. Rodrigues-Monteiro was served his criminal complaint while he was already in custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Igor Gomes Espindola Dasilva has yet to be located and remains a fugitive from justice.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Rafaela R. Almeida, Ryoma M. Johns, Ruan G. Rodrigues-Monteiro, and Igor Gomes Espindola Dasilva are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
