Off-duty cop to be tested for steroid use after fatal Bayonne accident
An off-duty Jersey City police officer involved in a crash that resulted in the death of an elderly woman on Feb. 20 will be tested for drugs, including steroids, said Hudson County Prosecutor Ed DeFazio.
Rick Garrison, 38, with an apparently mixed record during his 16 years with the Jersey City Police Department, was off-duty and was allegedly driving his private vehicle at a high speed when he became involved in a seven-car accident, in which 82-year-old Bayonne resident Helen Antczak died.
Although Garrison has received seven summonses as a result, he could face more serious charges pending the outcome of an investigation that includes a blood test for possible steroid use, DeFazio said.
“There was no alcohol involved, but his blood will be tested for controlled substances,” DeFazio said.
Garrison, according to a newspaper story, is one of the almost 250 police officers and firefighters to have allegedly obtained steroid prescriptions from a now-deceased area doctor, as reported on in a series of stories by a New Jersey daily newspaper earlier this year.
DeFazio said the results of the blood test will not be available for several weeks, although his office is currently investigating other aspects of the accident including whether or not Garrison’s vehicle was traveling too fast.
“We don’t know yet, and clearly there is still work to be done,” DeFazio said.
Records show that Garrison had been disciplined by the Jersey City Police Department recently, but also has a history of valor.
“This is a real tragedy,” DeFazio said.
Man arrested twice in two days
Warren Douglas, 46, of Bayonne, was arrested twice in two days, charged with shoplifting from ShopRite on Feb. 22, and then for alleged consumption of alcohol and disorderly conduct on Feb. 23.
ShopRite’s security called police on Feb. 22, claiming Douglas had attempted to leave the store with $18 worth of merchandise allegedly concealed beneath his jacket, at which time he was charged and released on summons.
On Feb. 23, police responded to a parking lot near Avenue A on the report of a loud noise when they saw Douglas ducking down in one of the cars, allegedly attempting to conceal something, which a police spokesperson said was a 24-ounce can of beer. Police said Douglas refused to give them information as to his identity and allegedly became irate and began to yell at them.
He was arrested for being disorderly, at which time police discovered he also had an outstanding warrant for $205. He was sent to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny.
Teeth whitener theft alleged
Shawn A. O’Donnell, 30, of Bayonne, was charged with shoplifting on Feb. 20 after store security saw him allegedly putting a razor under his jacket.
While O’Donnell also carried a handbasket full of merchandise, a police spokesperson said he was not originally charged with attempting to steal the items until police reviewed security camera tapes. They saw him allegedly lifting the basket over the security bars with the apparent attempt to leave the store without paying.
Along with the razor, O’Donnell has been charged with attempting to take $362.60 worth of teeth whitener.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.