NJ Undercover Agents: Unsung Heroes Living In The Shadows

The manager of the Tick Tock diner in Clifton remains behind bars today, charged with conspiring to kill his uncle, who was a co-owner of the eatery.

Georgios Spyropoulos was arrested two days ago as he was seating patrons during the lunch hour.

The plot was foiled by a New Jersey State Police undercover detective, who pretended to be a hit man, and a State Police informant, who first got wind of the plan.

During a news conference at State Police Headquarters in Totowa, law enforcement officials praised both individuals.

"On or off the screen or the stage, our undercovers are some of the best actors that I've ever seen," said State Police Superintendent Col. Rick Fuentes.

He pointed out undercover agents routinely find themselves in life and death situations where drugs guns and large sums of money are involved, so they have to be very, very good on their feet. They're male and female, they're a variety of ages, they're all in investigations.

Fuentes said State Police informants are always being cultivated, as everyday citizens.

"Normal citizens who want to provide information, other people are perhaps prior criminals who have access to other people who are involved in crime."

When the Col. was asked how many informants are operating in New Jersey, he declined to comment.

"These are people like the undercovers, who really imperil themselves, many of them because they have a very strong moral sense. They want to help out- they see crime, or they know crime is afoot and they're willing to provide that information. It's our responsibility to protect those men and women that are willing to do that for us, and help create a better public safety environment."