The community of Dumont, New Jersey, and the Jersey City Police Department were stunned by the arrest of 44-year-old Andrew LaBruno on November 17. LaBruno, who previously served as Dumont’s mayor from 2020 to 2023 and is currently a police sergeant in Jersey City, now faces severe charges, including first-degree aggravated sexual assault, second-degree sexual assault, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. His arrest has sent shockwaves through the region, casting a dark shadow over his public service career and recent bid for the New Jersey Assembly.
Shocking Allegations and Investigation
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The investigation began after the Englewood Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office about an alleged sexual assault involving a juvenile. Authorities quickly traced the incident to LaBruno, who had no prior connection to the victim. According to investigators, LaBruno initially made contact with the minor through a social media platform, leading to an arranged in-person meeting at the victim’s home in Englewood. The alleged assault occurred while the juvenile was alone at the time.
Disturbing details from court documents reveal the harrowing nature of the accusations. LaBruno is accused of using a mysterious substance to incapacitate the victim. Authorities claim he sprayed an unknown substance onto his hand and pressed it over the victim’s mouth, rendering the child unable to resist before allegedly committing sexual acts. This chilling method of overpowering the victim adds another layer of horror to the charges he now faces.
Abrupt End to the Assault
The assault was interrupted when the victim’s father unexpectedly returned home, immediately contacting law enforcement. LaBruno was apprehended later at a private residence in Englewood while attempting to retrieve his cell phone. The gravity of the charges led to LaBruno’s suspension without pay from the Jersey City Police Department, where he had served as a sergeant.
Legal Proceedings and Public Outcry
Following his arrest, LaBruno was remanded to the Bergen County Jail, where he is being held without bail pending a pretrial detention hearing. This hearing, scheduled for Friday in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack, will determine whether he will remain incarcerated until trial, given the seriousness of the charges.
LaBruno now faces a long legal battle, with the possibility of decades in prison if convicted. The case has generated widespread concern, given the accused’s position as a former public official and law enforcement officer. As the case progresses through the court system, the community watches closely, awaiting answers and justice for the victim involved in this horrific crime.