North Bergen
Alleged drunk driver arrested
Carol J. Gorley, 53, of Staten Island, was allegedly driving while intoxicated Saturday night when she was involved in an accident with three other cars on Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen, said police.
According to Commander of the Detective Bureau Lt. Frank Cannella, Officer Roberto Ruiz arrived at 15th Street and Tonnelle Avenue on July 24 around 7:55 p.m. after receiving a report of a multi-car accident.
Police arrest woman for DWI on Tonnelle Avenue
________
Cannella said that Ruiz observed an alleged “strong odor of alcoholic beverage” on Gorley’s breath and that she was allegedly unable to perform field sobriety tests correctly. She was placed under arrest and taken to North Bergen Police Headquarters, where she allegedly refused a breathalyzer test.
A passenger from one of the other cars complained of neck pains and was taken to Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus, Cannella said.
While Gorley was at headquarters, she complained of chest pains, so she was transported to Palisades Medical Center.
Gorley was charged with driving while under the influence and refusing a breathalyzer.
Police apprehend alleged panhandler for theft
North Bergen Police arrested Andre “Blowhole” Johnson, 34, a homeless man, for allegedly stealing $52 from a cash register at a Kennedy Boulevard gas station, said Cannella.
According to Cannella, on July 15 police received a call from the gas station attendant reporting that a homeless man, well known to the area, had allegedly taken money out of his cash register.
The man said when he arrived at work he noticed that cash was missing from the register, so he reviewed surveillance video from the night before.
On tape, he observed a man reach over the counter, open the register, and remove $52 worth of $1 bills, before leaving the store and heading south on Kennedy Boulevard, said Cannella.
Cannella said Johnson, well known to the police and the owner of the gas station, normally walks around with a bandage around his throat allegedly “panhandling” for money. In the video he was holding a cardboard sign.
On Sunday at around 1:30 p.m. a detective observed Johnson on Bergenline Avenue and placed him under arrest.
“Johnson does not speak, so I do not know if there is more to that injury on his neck or not,” said Cannella. “He complained [through writing] that he was having an asthma attack [while at headquarters]. North Bergen E.M.S. responded and assisted him and determined that his airway was clear and that the noises he was making were [allegedly] being forced in an attempt to delay his incarceration.”
Johnson is charged with theft. His bail was set at $2,500 with no 10 percent option by Judge Nino Falcone and he was transported to Hudson County Jail.
Tricia Tirella may be reached at TriciaT@hudsonreporter.com.