SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ - During the morning hours on Sunday, October 13th, three Port Authority police officers were injured while trying to apprehend an armed suspect in a string of carjackings on the George Washington Bridge. One of the officer's suffered lacerations to his head and face, as well as a broken hand, and two additional officers have shoulder injuries.
According to CBS News, the Bergen County prosecutor's office said that the chain of events began around 2:30 a.m. at a Wendy's on Route 46 in South Hackensack when the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Uvaldo Gonzalez, allegedly crashed a vehicle into the restaurant. Authorities said that the vehicle he used was stolen during an armed carjacking in New York City, but it's unclear as to when that incident took place.
After crashing into the Wendy's, Gonzalez unsuccessfully tried to steal another vehicle, then stole a Toyota Sienna at knifepoint. Surviellance video reportedly shows a man calmly walk and put his hood up as he approached the minivan in the Wendy's drive-thru line. Then, he pulls the driver out of the vehicle, gets in and speeds off before police officers arrived on scene.
Close to 20 minutes later, the Port Authority said that police received a call that someone on the George Washington Bridge was driving erratically with one tire missing. Officers then found the Toyota Sienna broken down on the bridge.
A Port Authority officer responded to the vehicle Gonzalez was in near the on-ramp to the upper level of the bridge in Fort Lee. The Port Authority union said that Gonzalez exited the vehicle and started pounding on the officer's car. The officer moved his vehicle and the Gonzalez allegedly tried to jump into a second responding officer's police vehicle and steal it. When the officer tried to stop him, Gonzalez stabbed him multiple times with a knife.
All three officers involved in the incident were treated at a local hospital and released. They are all expected to make full recoveries. The police union said that at some point during the chaos, Gonzalez also tried to open the doors of cars sitting in traffic getting onto the George Washington Bridge.
Eventually, Gonzalez was arrested without further incident. The Port Authority said that he has a lengthy criminal record with 17 prior arrests, including charges for burglary, narcotics, criminal trespass, and assault. He also has two active warrants, one from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and another from the New York State Department of Corrections. Gonzalez is a Bronx resident. For this most recent incident, he faces charges of attempted murder, aggravate assault, and receiving stolen property.
According to the New York Post, Port Authority PBA President Frank Conti applauded the police for a "job well done." He said, "I'm extremely happy that no one was more seriously injured. This is yet another example of the dangers if police work and of our members stepping up and getting the job done."
According to CBS News, the Bergen County prosecutor's office said that the chain of events began around 2:30 a.m. at a Wendy's on Route 46 in South Hackensack when the suspect, identified as 42-year-old Uvaldo Gonzalez, allegedly crashed a vehicle into the restaurant. Authorities said that the vehicle he used was stolen during an armed carjacking in New York City, but it's unclear as to when that incident took place.
After crashing into the Wendy's, Gonzalez unsuccessfully tried to steal another vehicle, then stole a Toyota Sienna at knifepoint. Surviellance video reportedly shows a man calmly walk and put his hood up as he approached the minivan in the Wendy's drive-thru line. Then, he pulls the driver out of the vehicle, gets in and speeds off before police officers arrived on scene.
Close to 20 minutes later, the Port Authority said that police received a call that someone on the George Washington Bridge was driving erratically with one tire missing. Officers then found the Toyota Sienna broken down on the bridge.
A Port Authority officer responded to the vehicle Gonzalez was in near the on-ramp to the upper level of the bridge in Fort Lee. The Port Authority union said that Gonzalez exited the vehicle and started pounding on the officer's car. The officer moved his vehicle and the Gonzalez allegedly tried to jump into a second responding officer's police vehicle and steal it. When the officer tried to stop him, Gonzalez stabbed him multiple times with a knife.
All three officers involved in the incident were treated at a local hospital and released. They are all expected to make full recoveries. The police union said that at some point during the chaos, Gonzalez also tried to open the doors of cars sitting in traffic getting onto the George Washington Bridge.
Eventually, Gonzalez was arrested without further incident. The Port Authority said that he has a lengthy criminal record with 17 prior arrests, including charges for burglary, narcotics, criminal trespass, and assault. He also has two active warrants, one from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and another from the New York State Department of Corrections. Gonzalez is a Bronx resident. For this most recent incident, he faces charges of attempted murder, aggravate assault, and receiving stolen property.
According to the New York Post, Port Authority PBA President Frank Conti applauded the police for a "job well done." He said, "I'm extremely happy that no one was more seriously injured. This is yet another example of the dangers if police work and of our members stepping up and getting the job done."
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2024-10-16T05:41+0530 | Comment by: Anthomny
Do they still carry firearms or they are not allowed to use them.