Newark cop steals car from drunk driver, goes on a rampage, and uses it to ram his wifes car (Garfield: trains, office)
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NEWARK — When a Newark cop allegedly told a drunken driver to get out of his pickup truck and sober up, it probably seemed like he was giving the guy a break.
But shortly after instructing the driver to hoof it and retrieve the pickup later, officer Enrique Gonzalez took the truck to Garfield, where police say he used it to ram his estranged wife’s car.
"He says, ‘Okay, I’m not going to arrest you. Park your car here. I’m going to leave the keys in the tailpipe. Come back and get the car when you’re sober,’" DeMaio said. The driver "comes back several hours later and finds the car gone."
Meanwhile, Gonzalez took the Ford F-450, DeMaio said, and went to pay his estranged wife’s car a visit when he was pulled over by Elmwood Park police for erratic driving. "He said he was late for work, he apologizes, and they let him go," DeMaio said.
Gonzalez, 28, continued to Garfield, where he allegedly rammed his wife’s 2011 Hyundai. The Hyundai was parked behind the woman's Buick which also sustained damage. DeMaio said the six-year Newark veteran then informed local police that some unidentified person had inflicted the damage.
"The officer subsequently tried to make an accident report at the Garfield Police Department on behalf of his wife’s vehicle," DeMaio said.
But Gonzalez allegedly copped an attitude when he made his report, leading Garfield police to call their Newark counterparts and lodge a complaint, DeMaio said. Around the same time, the owner of the pickup reported his truck stolen in Newark.
As the pieces fell into place, DeMaio suspended Gonzalez immediately and Newark’s internal affairs bureau launched an investigation.
On Friday, Gonzalez was charged with criminal mischief and receiving stolen property, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, which is aiding in the investigation. Gonzalez is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 15.
I cracked up when I read this story. Guy must have had a hell of a day.
Sometimes, even our 'finest' will succumb to the pressures of unknown variables, and do whacko things...
But, if he is let off, then the Police Department should be held accountable. Totally unacceptable behaviour, and usage of an unauthorized vehicle.
I feel sorry for the Drunk, who now has no vehicle, because its probably in too bad a shape to even drive, having 'rammed' it hard enough to do damage to two vehicles! Been better for him to have paid the DUI and a few points on his liscence, then lose the use of his vehicle.
Just makes you wonder what made this Officer 'snap' like that, and, if he can get a refresher course so that he can become a productive member of that force, or, be forced to hand in his resignation?
Sadly Newark (among others) dropped their hiring standards because of pressure from various groups to a laughable level. They allowed some who should have never been in that position on the job. Now they see the result. NYPD learned that lesson the hard way years ago.
Sadly Newark (among others) dropped their hiring standards because of pressure from various groups to a laughable level. They allowed some who should have never been in that position on the job. Now they see the result. NYPD learned that lesson the hard way years ago.
Arrested, perhaps. Having the truck stolen and getting framed for destruction of property (which appears to be what the cop was up to), no.
Huh? Where did I say the driver deserved having his truck stolen and framed? I said the cop's charges should have involved not doing his job because he didn't arrest the drunk driver who was driving a vehicle that could create a hell of a lot of damage.
More than likely, the so-called idoits (sic) on the NYPD can spell the word "idiot" correctly, unlike Nexis.
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