Police alerted to call of man down in street
Bayonne Police responded to a call about a man lying face down on Park Road, which runs around Don Ahern Veterans Memorial Stadium, on Nov. 17 at 4:36 p.m., according to Bayonne Police Lt. Janine Foy.
“When they arrived, they found a male, lying face down in approximately nine inches of water,” said Foy. The discovery followed heavy downpours in an area known to flood.
An ambulance was called, and life-saving efforts were used, according to Foy. The man was transported to the hospital, where staff was able to regain a pulse from him, but he was pronounced dead at 7:40 p.m.
The deceased was determined to be Arthur E. Burns, 70, a city resident.
There were no injuries to Burns except for some bruising on his left cheek, the side of his face that was on the ground.
“We’re waiting autopsy results at this point,” Foy said on Nov. 19. “There doesn’t appear to be any foul play. It’s still under investigation.”
Union City resident arrested on drug charges
Police officers who stopped a North Hudson man for traveling at a high speed on his motorcycle charged him with several narcotics offenses.
On Nov. 16 at 6:53 p.m., police officers observed Carlos A. Sorto Jr., 18, of Union City, on a Yamaha motorcycle traveling southbound on Kennedy Boulevard by 58th Street, according to police.
The driver allegedly disregarded multiple orders to pull the bike over, but he was finally stopped at a light at 52nd Street, police said.
“As officers approached, they [allegedly] detected a strong odor of raw marijuana,” Foy said. “They also observed a bulge in his waistband. He was [allegedly] found to be in possession of a semi-automatic pellet gun.”
Sorto was also found to allegedly be in possession of two large, clear sandwich bags full of suspected marijuana, according to Foy.
He was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession within 1,000 feet of a school (Woodrow Wilson), unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possessing a weapon with a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia, Foy said. He also had his vehicle impounded for allegedly being used in the commission of a crime.
Sorto was issued three summonses: possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, improper headlight, and for being an unlicensed driver.
His bail was set at $50,000 cash, and he was sent to the county jail.
Union County man charged with shoplifting
An Elizabeth man who police say was alleged to have picked up a plastic tub and filled it with various store items, was arrested on Nov. 15.
The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. at the Wal-Mart store at 500 Bayonne Crossing Way.
Store security allegedly saw Levi J. Huggins, 46, of Elizabeth placing several products into a large Rubbermaid tote container.
“The items he was [allegedly] attempting to conceal were miscellaneous food items and miscellaneous household cleaning items,” said Lt. Janine Foy. “The tote was also from the store.”
According to the police account, Huggins allegedly tried to fill the container and then to leave Wal-Mart.
He was charged with shoplifting, according to Foy. The total value of the items was $514.33.
Huggins had three outstanding warrants, police said. He was sent to the county jail.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.