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Officer Debbie Maldonado spotted the black Acura trudging up Fort Lee Road from Grand Avenue around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, Leonia Police Chief Scott Tamagny said.
Maldonado pulled behind the vehicle, whose driver stopped several times for no apparent reason, then signaled a turn at Broad Avenue but kept going straight through the turn lane, the chief said.
The officer used her PA system to try and get the driver to stop, but she kept going up Fort Lee Road, he said.
Fellow Officer Devon O’Donnell joined Maldonado as the Acura driver continued up Main Street past Paulin Boulevard, then blew the light at Maple Street outside Fort Lee Hook & Ladder Company #3, nearly causing an accident, the chief said.
The driver – identified as Asline Felix, 46, of West New York -- finally stopped at the light on Center Street, he said.
Felix had apparent cocaine on her nose as she exited the car, Tamagny said. Appearing nervous, she gave vague replies to the officers’ questions, he said.
Leonia Sgt. Ray Forsdahl and Fort Lee officers joined their colleagues, who the chief said found cocaine and drug paraphernalia during a search of the Acura.
Although he said Felix claimed not to have any warrants, a quick computer check turned up criminal warrants from the Bergen and Hudson county sheriff’s offices and an outstanding traffic warrant out of Secaucus.
Felix was brought to headquarters and was medically cleared but resisted during processing, kicking Maldonado, Tamagny said.
She remained held Wednesday in the Bergen County Jail, charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and hindering.
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