Hackensack Police Officer Sued for Allegedly Beating Convenience Store Worker

A lawsuit has been filed against Matthew DeBonis, a Hackensack police officer, for allegedly assaulting a convenience store worker, Mahmoud Qadri, in Waldwick two years ago. The incident occurred at a 7-Eleven on Wyckoff Avenue on December 15, 2018, and resulted in severe and permanent injuries to Qadri. The lawsuit claims that DeBonis had "violent tendencies" and that his employers, the City of Hackensack and its police department, should have known about this and taken action to prevent the incident.

Key Takeaways:

• Matthew DeBonis, a Hackensack police officer, is being sued for allegedly assaulting a convenience store worker, Mahmoud Qadri, in Waldwick two years ago.
• The incident occurred at a 7-Eleven on Wyckoff Avenue on December 15, 2018, and resulted in severe and permanent injuries to Qadri.
• The lawsuit claims that DeBonis had "violent tendencies" and that his employers, the City of Hackensack and its police department, should have known about this and taken action to prevent the incident.
• DeBonis transferred to the Hackensack Police Department from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office in November 2014.
• Qadri and his wife, Rosemary, are suing DeBonis, the City of Hackensack, and the police department for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as interest and legal costs.
• The lawsuit alleges that DeBonis' actions led to "severe permanent and serious injuries" for Qadri, causing him pain and suffering, lost wages, and unpaid medical bills.
• The City of Hackensack and the police department have declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Statistics:

• One incident of alleged police brutality claims severe and permanent injuries.
• DeBonis allegedly had "violent tendencies" prior to the incident.
• The lawsuit was filed in state Superior Court in Hackensack.
• Qadri and his wife, Rosemary, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages, as well as interest and legal costs.
• DeBonis transferred to the Hackensack Police Department from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office in November 2014.

Sources:

• "A lawsuit has been filed against Matthew DeBonis, a Hackensack police officer, for allegedly assaulting a convenience store worker, Mahmoud Qadri, in Waldwick two years ago."
• "The four-page filing gave few details about why Officer Matthew DeBonis allegedly attacked the plaintiff, Mahmoud Qadri of Paterson, in the Wyckoff Avenue 7-Eleven on Dec. 15, 2018."
• "DeBonis transferred to the Hackensack Police Department from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office in November 2014, according to Civil Service Commission documents."
• Email: janoski@northjersey.com
• Twitter: @stevejanoski