NBC Report: Teens Left Locked in Police Van Over 12 Hours After Fort Lee House Party Bust

NBC New York is reporting that police left suspects locked in a police van for more than 12 hours in the freezing cold after breaking up a house party in Fort Lee early Saturday morning.

According to the NBC New York report, officials only became aware of the error when passersby heard screams and banging coming from the van.

NBC New York reports that some of the suspects locked in the van were teenagers and that police were responding to complaints of noise from neighbors at 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

Fort Lee Police Chief Thomas Ripoli told Patch he is aware of the NBC New York story but could not confirm nor deny its accuracy. He did say the incident in question involves juveniles and that a Fort Lee Police Department internal affairs investigation is underway. Ripoli also said  he has been instructed by borough attorney Lee Cohen to refer all media inquiries to him.

Cohen could not immediately be reached for comment.

Patch will have further details as more information becomes available.