PARK RIDGE POLICE BLOTTER: April 1, 2019

This section is based on data provided to Pascack Press weekly by neighborhood police departments. Due to pending court appearances and other variations, the following information shall be read in ‘press time’ context.

Road rage report: Man in loaner car threatens patron

A white man approximately 50 years old and driving a loaner luxury car from a dealer in Nanuet reportedly threatened to kill a man and his family in a road rage incident reported March 15. 

According to the report, the victim, from Tuxedo Park, N.Y., called police after he was driving off the Ridge Diner parking lot,  preparing to enter traffic, and the suspect, speeding west on Park Avenue, nearly collided with him, slamming his brakes. 

The suspect left his car in the street, approached the victim, called him stupid, and shouted a threat against him and a family. He then returned to his car and allegedly sped off.

According to the report, three units were on the scene within five minutes of the complaint. They found the complainant at the 76 gas station parking lot. A search for the offending driver turned up nothing. 

The victim said he didn’t believe the man would follow through on his threat and declined to pursue the matter.

Montvale man cited for drugs at DWI checkpoint

A Montvale man caught up as the fifth driver in a DWI enforcement detail March 16 faces charges of possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and possession of controlled dangerous substances in a motor vehicle.

He must answer for these charges at Pascack Joint Municipal Court on April 17.

Suffern man with headlight out gets summonses

Officers conducting Park Ridge and Montvale’s DWI checkpoint at midnight on March 17 stopped a Suffern, N.Y. man, 45, whose 2011 Lincoln Town Car had a headlight out. 

Further checking revealed that the driver was wanted on a traffic warrant out of Ringwood for $604 and was driving with a suspended license/registration. He could not post bail. Ringwood released him on his own recognizance pending his new court date.

The driver was told to call for a ride. He was given summonses for maintenance of lamps, failure to provide proof of insurance, failure to wear a seat belt, and driving while suspended.

Police also issued a summons for allowing a suspended driver to operate.

Learning the law on consent, on the side of the road

An officer’s patrol car automated license plate reader alerted him to the expired registration of a gray 2007 Toyota Corolla on the road. The officer followed the car, confirmed the facts, then stopped the driver, 30, of Hillsdale.

The officer reported he saw the driver move around in his seat to put his seat belt on. The officer also smelled the strong odor of air freshener and raw marijuana from inside the car.

The driver said he did not consent to a search of the car, but such consent is not required with probable cause. The man said he wanted to call his attorney, but no calls were permitted. He then said he was going to record the search, which the police allowed (they record such searches as well). 

Found in the car: an empty prescription bottle with green dust and suspected marijuana residue, and a cigarette-style pipe with suspected marijuana residue. The defendant admitted these were his and then he was arrested and taken to headquarters for processing. 

He was given summonses for unregistered vehicle and possession of narcotics paraphernalia, both answerable at Pascack Joint Municipal Court on April 17. He was given a courtesy ride back to his car.