By: Richard L. Smith
Four Bergen County men have been arrested following a months-long investigation into a violent home invasion in Dumont, where authorities said a man was repeatedly struck in the head with a knife during an early-morning confrontation.
According to information released by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, the suspects were identified as Andrew Baik, 31, of Cliffside Park; Christian I. Curatola, 31, of Bergenfield; Brendan J. Hayes, 31, of Bergenfield; and Kerby W. Santillan, 31, also of Bergenfield.
Authorities said the incident occurred during the early morning hours of January 4, 2026, at a residence on Larch Avenue.
Investigators determined that a disagreement involving individuals who knew one another preceded the confrontation.
Police said two vehicles arrived at the residence before several suspects forced their way inside.
Once inside, the intruders allegedly assaulted an adult male, repeatedly striking him in the head with a knife and leaving him with a cut above his right eye.
Authorities said another individual inside the home was threatened when one of the suspects pointed the knife at them.
The group then fled the residence in two vehicles before police arrived.
Dumont police officers responded and launched an investigation that initially connected two vehicles involved in the incident to Curatola and Hayes.
As detectives continued gathering evidence over the following months, Baik and Santillan were identified as additional suspects.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad subsequently joined Dumont detectives in the investigation.
On September 24, authorities conducted a coordinated operation involving law enforcement agencies from Dumont, Bergenfield, Cliffside Park, and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the operation, investigators arrested Curatola and Santillan at their respective Bergenfield residences, while Baik was taken into custody at his home in Cliffside Park.
Hayes later surrendered to authorities on September 29.
All four men were charged with first-degree home invasion burglary, second-degree aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful weapon possession.
Following their arrests, the suspects were lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending court proceedings.
Prosecutors said Hayes was subsequently ordered released, while Baik, Curatola, and Santillan remained in custody awaiting detention hearings in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
The investigation was conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Dumont Police Department, with assistance from police in Bergenfield and Cliffside Park.