PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers were advised by police dispatch that they received a report of a vehicle being driven without tires in the area of Route 53. While Patrol Officer Andrew Van Orden was responding to a higher priority call, he observed the vehicle, a 2011 Toyota Prius, stopped on Route 10 East at Johnson Road. This incident occurred on Thursday, July 19 at 10:46 a.m.
Patrol Officer Thomas Armenti arrived on scene and conducted a check on the vehicle plate, which returned a response that the vehicle was stolen.
He observed that the passenger side had two heavily damaged tires, along with considerable damage to the passenger side body of the vehicle.
As Officer Armenti approached the vehicle to check the interior he found Juan Abreu, 31, Freeport, NY, in the fetal position in the backseat of the vehicle attempting to conceal himself.
Mr. Abreu was immediately removed from the vehicle and was placed under arrest. He was also found to be in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a vapor pen containing suspected T.H.C. oil, and a switchblade knife.
Freeport Village Police (New York) were contacted and advised that vehicle was located. The vehicle was entered as stolen by the Freeport Village Police Department (NY) after it was stolen from the parking lot of an automotive repair shop in their jurisdiction.
Mr. Abreu was transported to police headquarters and processed. During processing he originally gave arresting officers a false name and date of birth. His true identity was confirmed after he was fingerprinted.
He was subsequently charged with the following:
One count of Third Degree Receiving Stolen Property (Vehicle)
One count of Fourth Degree Possession of Prohibited Weapons and Devices (Switchblade)
One count of Fourth Degree Hindering-Giving False Information
Possession of Less than 50 grams of Marijuana, a Disorderly Person Offense
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Disorderly Person Offense
Unlicensed Driver (Traffic Offense)
Operating a Motor Vehicle without the Owner’s Consent (Traffic Offense)
CDS in a Motor Vehicle (Traffic Offense)
He was subsequently transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his court appearance and possible action from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
