Driver Tries to Bite Officer

DRIVER TRIES TO BITE OFFICER:

DATE: 03/29/15                CASE: 15-03425

TIME: 21:46

WHERE IT HAPPENED: Landing Road

NAME OF ACCUSED: Jose Ortiz

AGE OF ACCUSED: 48

ADDRESS OF ACCUSED: Madison Trail Hopatcong

OFFICER (S) INVESTIGATING:Ptl. Barta, Ptl. Cirri

CHARGES: Eluding, Aggravated Assault, Resisting Arrest and speeding

ANY OTHER INFORMATION: Officer Barta clocked a white Toyota SUV on Lakeside Blvd doing 48 in a 35 mph zone.  He got behind the vehicle and put on his emergency lights but the vehicle did not pull over. The driver slowed down to 38 on Lakeside Blvd by the State Park then sped back up to 50.  When the vehicle did not stop at the Snono Officer Barta activated his siren. The vehicle still did not stop.  They went past the Landing intersection where the vehicle finally pulled over at the Station Hardware Store in Landing.  Officer Barta spoke to the driver who was Ortiz.  He asked him to step out of the vehicle but Ortiz wouldn’t.  Officer Barta called for backup. Officer Cirri arrived.  Ortiz was slurring his words and was very lethargic.  The Officers were able to get Ortiz out of the vehicle.  They handcuffed him for their safety.  The officers were searching Ortiz when he reached over and tried to bite Officer Cirri. He was told to stop or he would be taken to the ground. Again Ortiz tried to bite Officer Cirri.  He was then taken to the ground so the Officers could continue to safely search him.  The vehicle was searched to find out what was making this driver act the way he was. Nothing was found. Ortiz said he was an Italian language Professor for the County College of Morris but he wasn’t sure if he was working this semester or not.  Officer Barta tried to call family members to find out what was going on with him. A few friends arrived at the station and stated Ortiz has been acting very unusual lately.  Officer Barta called for an ambulance and Medics.  Ortiz was taken to Denville Hospital.  Officer Barta typed out the charges and is waiting to give them to Ortiz when he is released from the Hospital.

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