Passaic man admits impersonating cop, tying up women as young kids watched

IRVINGTON — A Passaic man has admitted perpetrated a home invasion in which he and another man pretended to be cops and forced their way into a city home with women and children inside.

Peter Kopic, 38, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, burglary, robbery, and impersonating a law enforcement officer just one day after his trial had started. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino said in exchange for pleading, guilty four counts of kidnapping were dismissed.

The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 6, 2011, when Kopic and the man went to an apartment on Manor Drive and told the people inside they were there to execute a search warrant. Once they were inside, the women were bound with zip ties in the bedroom while the two men stole "thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry," according to Laurino. Also in the room were a 5-year-old and an 11-month old.

"This case shows that even after six years of the defendant avoiding prosecution, that a community and neighbors will bravely come together when called upon to stand up to a predator who preyed upon defenseless women and children for his own personal gain," Assistant Prosecutor Jason Goldberg said. "While the defendant ran from these charges for six long years, the combined effort of law enforcement and the community continued the pursuit of justice and ensured that the defendant was held accountable for this horrible home invasion."

Kopic is expected to receive an eight-year prison sentence and must serve at least 85 percent before he is eligible for parole. Sentencing has been scheduled for Nov. 3.

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Contact reporter Adam Hochron at 609-359-5326 or Adam.Hochron@townsquaremedia.com