A Schuyler Ave. couple got a rude awakening early Saturday, Aug. 9, when a driver crashed his station wagon into the side of their apartment unit, showering them with sheetrock as they slept, Kearny police reported. The motorist, who himself had apparently slept through the crash, was charged with driving while intoxicated.
Police said a report of a vehicle striking a building on the 700 block of Schuyler came in at 5:15 a.m., and responding Officer Mike Santucci arrived to find a 2002 Ford wagon against the side of an apartment, the driver sound asleep behind the wheel of the still-running vehicle.
After repeated attempts, Santucci managed to rouse him and when the man rolled down the window, a strong odor of alcohol reportedly wafted from the wagon. The officer had to unlock the door for the driver, who exited staggering, police said.
The impact of the crash had cracked both the outside and inside walls of the apartment, sending shards of sheetrock down on the sleeping tenants. Police said neither the couple nor the motorist, Wilfred Montas, 22, of Elizabeth, was injured.
Montas was given an Alcotest and issued summonses for DWI and careless driving. Other recent reports from the KPD blotter included the following:
Aug. 6
Police were contacted by the owner of a restaurant who said that someone had been defecating outside the premises on the 100 block of Kearny Ave. This had occurred at least twice, reportedly resulting in more than $500 in clean-up costs. Det. Scott Traynor viewed security videos from the area and developed as a suspect Arthur Smith, 50, of Kearny. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on a charge of criminal mischief.
Aug. 11
At 9:30 a.m., Det. Michael Andrews was on off-duty traffic detail on the Pulaski Skyway when he came upon a 2012 Mercedes that appeared to be having mechanical trouble. Since the car had to be towed, Andrews asked the driver for the paperwork and was handed a license issued to a man whose photo did not resemble the driver, police said. Challenged by Andrews, the driver reportedly admitted that the license belonged to a friend and that his own was suspended. Police said he was also found to have an outstanding Newark warrant. Ekendilichukwu Atanmo, 27, of Newark, was charged with the MV violation, the warrant and with hindering apprehension.
Officer Glenn Reed, on patrol at 11:15 p.m.. found a Freightliner tractor-trailer stopped in traffic and blocking the right eastbound lane on Harrison Ave.
When the driver, Juan Aguirremallea, 54, of Kearny, was advised that the truck had to be moved, he reportedly refused to do so, launched into a “profane tirade” and also refused to produce his credentials. Aguirremallea was charged criminally with obstructing the administration of law and was issued summonses for failure to comply with an officer’s directions and obstructing traffic. The Freightliner was towed from the scene.
Aug. 12
The NYPD warrant task force contacted the KPD for assistance in locating and arresting a former Kearny resident, 49-year-old Michael Murdy, who was wanted on an N.Y.C. no-bail theft warrant. Shortly after 8 a.m., Det. Scott Traynor found and detained Murdy at Morgan Place and the Belleville Turnpike. He was taken into custody by the detective and New York officers, brought to KPD headquarters and turned over to the NYPD. Police said Murdy was also found to have a warrant out of Millburn.
At 9:20 a.m., off-duty Officer John Fabula was working a construction detail on Argyle Place when he saw two individuals asleep in a car. He recognized one of them as Michael Wojcik, 24, of Lodi, who he knew to have outstanding warrants, police said. Fabula contacted on-duty Officer Steven Hroncich, who, after confirming Wojcik’s warrants from Lodi, Mansfield and North Arlington, awakened and arrested him. He was turned over to the custody of the Lodi police.
Vice Unit officers were at Johnston and Grant Aves. at 8 p.m. when their attention was caught by Mario Lamberty, 24, of Kearny, who they said was throwing “numerous” pieces of food on the ground. They then saw him remove a cigar from his pocket and light it. Said cigar was reportedly found to contain marijuana. Lamberty was arrested for possession and use of the drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also received a summons for littering.
Aug. 13
At 10:40 p.m., Vice officers saw Jerry Corrochano, 27, of Kearny enter the passenger side of a car in the area of Patterson St. and Kearny Ave., and, following the vehicle, witnessed what they believed to be a drug transaction. When they stopped the car at Maple St., they reportedly saw the other occupant, Mario Rodrigues, 33, of Kearny, attempt to conceal a plastic bag in his waistband. Police said it contained suspected marijuana. Rodrigues was charged with possession of pot and paraphernalia. Corrochano, who had $40 that was thought to be the proceeds of a drug transaction, was charged with distribution of pot and distribution within a school zone and 500 feet of a playground.
– Karen Zautyk
