North Bergen Police
Tourists have credit card info stolen
Two Australian girls vacationing in the New York City area had their pre-paid credit card funds robbed after they took a phony taxi from a New York airport to their hotel in North Bergen, police said.
According to Commander of the Detective Bureau Lt. Frank Cannella, two women in their early 20s travelling from Australia flew in to John F. Kennedy International Airport on Aug. 31. While still in the airport, several individuals representing taxis came up to them.
“One individual who approached them was wearing a jacket and tie, like most limo drivers, and he offered them a ride for $70 to the North Bergen area,” said Cannella, who explained that amount was around the going rate.
Enroute to their hotel, the driver allegedly asked for their payment. Cannella said that the tourists had elected to get a pre-paid credit card for the trip, rather than use cash or traveler’s checks, and that it had several hundred of dollars on it.
A device in the car, which he had them swipe their cards through, was connected to a laptop.
“We know that the device was most likely a skimming device, not a credit card processing device,” said Cannella, who said he believes their information was read by the computer, allowing the driver to allegedly steal it.
Several hours later the two women noticed that there wasn’t any money left on the card, Cannella said. There were several unauthorized withdrawals in the North Bergen area. Police are following up on video and leads.
“When you are travelling, make yourself aware of your surroundings,” said Canella. “Try to plan your arrangements of who is picking you up to and from…all taxis and limousines that operate out of [New York City] have medallions affixed to their hoods.”
Motor vehicle accident leads to DWI arrest
On Aug. 29 at 2:24 a.m. Kimberly Citron, 22, of Waldwick, N.Y. was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after she was involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Citron allegedly got into a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of 10th Street and Tonnelle Avenue and police were called to the scene.
Citron was still sitting in her car, which had the engine running, and police say they noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from her breath. When they asked her to do several sobriety tests, she allegedly was unable to complete the task and had to hold herself up for balance.
She also allegedly told police that she had two glasses of wine prior to driving.
Her blood alcohol level was .11, which is .03 over the legal limit of .08.
Her car was impounded and she was given a summons for driving while intoxicated, said Cannella.
Guttenberg
Police arrest man who allegedly attacked cop
According to Guttenberg Police Capt. Joel Magenheimer, Dennia Durso, 32, of Cliffside Park, N.J. was arrested on Aug. 28 at 11:06 p.m. after he allegedly attacked a police officer. Police say he was allegedly under the influence of PCP, a hallucinogen also known as Phencyclidine.
Durso allegedly attacked Police Officer Joseph Keselica on Bergenline Avenue and 68th Street.
He is being charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, throwing bodily fluids, reckless endangerment, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.
His bail was set at $7,000 by Judge Frank Leanza.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.