Kearny driver who told police they were violating his legal rights ended up facing the weight of the law.
Responding to a report of a hit and run in the 270 block of Stewart Ave., at 4 a.m., Officer Derek Hemphill spotted a 2008 Saab leaving the area at a high rate of speed and pursued the vehicle, forcing the driver, Louis Moreiradejesus, 35, of Kearny, to pull over.
When asked for his paperwork, police said the driver lowered his tinted window a few inches, produced his license and informed Hemphill that his “constitutional rights were being violated” and that the officer “had no right to pull him over.”
Police said he also refused to submit to a sobriety test, instead, inviting Hemphill and backup Officer Brian Wisely to, “Arrest me.”
They did.
At HQ , police said Moreiradejesus had a change of heart and agreed to take an Alcotest.
It didn’t help.
Moreiradejesus was charged with DWI, careless driving, having tinted safety glass and failing to produce registration and insurance.
Other recent reports logged by Kearny PD included these incidents:
Nov. 2
Officers Ben Wuelfing and Tom Floyd responded to the 90 block of Hoyt St., at 3 a.m., on a report of an accident. There, they found a 2012 Toyota embedded in the passenger side of a parked Nissan. Police said the officers detected an odor of alcohol from the Toyota’s driver, Claudia Barrow, 45, of Kearny, who, police said, may have passed out when the crash occurred. Barrow was charged with DWI, careless driving and refusal to take an Alcotest.
Nov. 3
While on patrol in the 200 block of Kearny Ave., at 3:45 p.m., Officer John Travelino spotted a man, later identified as Sidnei Antunes, 28, of Kearny, drinking from a 16-ounce can of Budweiser on the street. Antunes, who was issued a summons for drinking in public, had an outstanding warrant from East Newark charging him with the same offense, police said.
Nov. 5
At 7:45 p.m., Officers Chris Levchak and Phil Finch responded to 125 Passaic Ave. on a report that someone using an ATM appeared to be drunk. In the parking lot at the site, police said the officers found a vehicle occupied by Edison Vera, 32, of Belleville, who, they said, smelled of alcohol. Asked to step out of the car, police said Vera’s eyes were bloodshot and he was unsteady on his feet. Enroute to HQ , Vera fell asleep in the back of the police cruiser. After being charged with DWI and refusal to take an Alcotest, Vera was placed in a cell where, police said, he began doing headstands.
Nov. 6
Sgt. John Taylor, while patrolling the parking lot of the Walmart store on Harrison Ave., at 10 a.m., came across a 2004 Hyundai with its engine running and driver slumped over the steering wheel, police said. After being roused, the driver, Edlaus New, 44, of Wheeling, W. Va., was charged with driving while suspended and operating an uninsured vehicle.
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At 3:45 p.m., Officer Jordensen Jean responded to a S. Hackensack Ave. location on a report of an assault. There, police said, he found a 33-year-old Jersey City man bleeding from a head wound and Junell Santanapujols, 33, of Jersey City. The victim was taken to UMDNJ, Newark, where he was questioned by Det. Ray Lopez. Police subsequently arrested Santanapujols on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose. The suspect is alleged to have struck the victim several times with a vehicular anti-theft device which police recovered. He was taken to Hudson County Jail on $30,000 bail with a 10% cash option.
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Officers Tom Sumowski and Derek Hemphill responded to the Hamburgao Restaurant in the 200 block of Kearny Ave., at 11 p.m., on a report of someone stealing a tip jar from the front counter and running away. A short time later, a man matching a description provided by witnesses was seen at Kearny and Bergen Aves. and was detained by the officers for a positive drive-by ID. Searching the man’s backpack, police said the officers found a Toshiba laptop marked with the word Princess (which police traced to a Franklin Place owner), along with a counter display of cigarette lighters taken from an unknown location, two thin strip “loids” (used to pry open locks) and a rachet-type device. Police said he also had on his possession “currency consistent with the contents of the tip jar.” Mareus Rawls, 46, of Newark, was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property, theft of movable property, theft of property lost or mislaid and possession of burglar tools.
Nov. 10
More than 20 tools, including pipe threaders, power saws and power drills, impact guns and sockets, were reported taken from a construction site during the weekend. Police said the burglary was reported by a sprinkler fitting company working at a residential development under construction at Bergen and Schuyler Aves. The tools were valued at about $10,000, police said.
Nov. 12
A taxi driver called for help, at 9 p.m., after his fare reportedly refused to exit the cab, police said. Officer Jay Ward responded to Beech St. and Oakwood Ave. where he found passenger Michael Miller, 36, of Kearny, asleep in the back seat. When Ward woke him and tried to get him to leave the cab, Miller reportedly argued with the officer and tried to grab his flashlight. At that point, police said, Ward and backup Officer Travelino began removing him and Miller then pushed Ward. Police said the officers grabbed and handcuffed him and took him to HQ where Miller refused to leave the patrol car and had to be carried inside. After he was booked on charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest, he was taken by EMS to Clara Maass Medical Center for observation.
– Ron Leir
