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 - August 15 - September 1
The Hillside Police
Department has received a $5,000 grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway
Traffic Safety. The grant will be used for enforcement of New Jersey’s Motor
Vehicle Laws against Driving While Intoxicated during the upcoming “Over the
Limit - Under Arrest” End of Summer Crackdown scheduled for August 15 –
September 1, 2008.
Police Chief Robert Quinlan
stated the department will use the funds to conduct several high visibility
enforcement checkpoints and targeted patrols during the upcoming campaign. The
goal of the program is increased safety through prevention of impaired driving
and the numerous fatalities that result from it. Approximately 28% of motor
vehicle fatalities in New Jersey are alcohol-related and the end of summer is
traditionally a time for social gatherings and parties where alcoholic beverages
are served. Taking impaired drivers off the roads will help everyone enjoy a
safe summer’s end.
As in
the past, the Hillside Police Department offers free rides home to residents who
may have overindulged at party or local tavern. For those who choose to drive
instead, the Police Chief warns- they will be arrested and have their cars
towed. The Police Department will not issue warnings. Persons convicted will
have their license suspended and will be subject to high fines, court costs and
imprisonment for repeat offenders. Many defendants also pay thousands of
dollars in legal fees.
The
Hillside Police Department received the grant as a result of their participation
in previous enforcement campaigns and consistent aggressive enforcement of New
Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Laws. According to Chief Quinlan, the high profile
traffic enforcement campaigns also help increase the visibility and
effectiveness of the Hillside Police Department, a priority for the Police
Chief. “When people drive through Hillside and see police stopping cars for
traffic violations, they think twice about committing crimes in the township.”
he said.
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HPD SALUTES:
HPD Salutes is a
news column to recognize outstanding police work by Hillside police
officers.
July 30, 2008 Our
patrol officers received information from a resident that their car was
stolen. While one of our units was still completing the stolen vehicle
report another patrol unit observed the stolen vehicle at the intersection
of Valley View Road and Conant Street. Officers Ronald Bartell and Allan
Lu then attempted to stop the stolen vehicle. The driver, later
identified as Samuel DeJesus, 35, of Newark, ignored the officers’ signal to
stop and began attempting to elude them through streets in Hillside and into
the City of Elizabeth. The pursuit of the vehicle was eventually terminated
due to the highly dangerous driving of DeJesus. Moments later the officers
reengaged the pursuit with the help of Elizabeth Police officers on Routes 1
& 9 North. As DeJesus attempted to exit the highway he lost control of his
vehicle at the McClellan Street exit ramp and struck a guard rail. Officers
Bartell and Lu then positioned their police vehicle to block DeJesus from
continuing his attempt to escape. However, DeJesus then attempted to push
the officers’ vehicle out of his way by accelerating forward and ramming the
police car. When he was unsuccessful, he reversed a few feet and drove
forward again ramming the police vehicle a second time. DeJesus was
repeatedly ordered to put his hands up and take his foot off the accelerator
by officers. Upon the arrival of backup officers DeJesus was removed from
the vehicle and arrested. Further investigation revealed that DeJesus had
stolen two other vehicles from Hillside residents.
DeJesus is held on
$25,000 bail. He’s charged with Eluding, Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief,
Possession of Burglary Tools, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer,
Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
More charges will follow upon completion of the investigation of the other
two vehicles stolen by DeJesus.
June 26, 2008
Officers received information that Union PD was in pursuit of a vehicle
(later determined to be stolen) traveling on Route 22 East on its way into
Hillside. Lt. Louis Rufino responded to the intersection of Route 22
East and the Hilldale Place exit ramp to provide assistance to the Union
officers. As the subject eluding the Union Police approached Lt. Rufino's
position he attempted to exit the highway, but lost control of the vehicle
and struck Lt. Rufino's police vehicle who then pursued the vehicle. The
subject continued driving on the exit ramp and entered the gas station at
North Broad Street and Hillside Avenue where he struck another vehicle that
was refueling. The impact broke the gas nozzle and sent the subjects vehicle
spinning out of control and disabling it. Three subjects then fled on foot
from the pursued vehicle over the fence of the gas station. Backup units and
Union PD arrived seconds later to assist in the apprehension of the three
subjects. Two of the subjects, Jamar Williams, 29, of East Orange and
Jeffrey Saunders, 25, of Union were apprehended by Hillside Lt. Rufino and
Det. Brian Wilson and Union officers. The third subject, Ernest Hill,
23, of Newark jumped through a closed window of a nearby Hillside business
sustaining many lacerations from the glass. He then demanded that the
employee inside the business sit down until the police left the area. Hill
heard police knocking on the door and then took the employee's car keys and
ran out the front door where he was apprehended by Hillside Det. Sean
Young and Union Officer Stinner.
All three subjects are charged with
Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of Burglar
Tools. In addition, the driver of the stolen vehicle, Ernest Hill, is
charged with numerous motor vehicle offenses.
Click here or the button to the left to
read more Hillside Salutes.
 WANTED:
Homicide Suspect
WARNING
to Hillside residents. Click here.
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