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Sgt. Joseph Bucco stopped both cars after a witness flagged him down following the crash at Fairview and Bergenwood avenues just before noon yesterday.
The driver of a 2001 Mercedes, 35-year-old Angela Vazquez of Palisades Park (above left), was apparently under the influence, Deputy Police Chief Martin Kahn said.
Officer Theresa Demuro noticed her passenger, Nancy Arroyo-Florez, 46, of Hoboken (right) clutching her purse, Kahn said,
“She began making abrupt movements to conceal the contents, then opened her purse to reach inside,” he said. “We don’t know if there was any intention to grab the weapon or dump the contents, but the officer saw her movements and was quick to stop anything from happening.”
A check determined that the Raven handgun wasn’t defaced or reported stolen, police said. Sgt. John Pierotti, a drug recognition expert, determined that both were under the influence. Blood tests will determine exactly what.
Arroyo-Florez was charged with two illegal weapons possession counts, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of the drug. She was being held on $125,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail.
Vazquez was charged with the same possession, paraphernalia and influence offenses. She remained held on $35,000 bail.
Both are due for first appearances Wednesday in Municipal Court.
MUGSHOTS: Courtesy FAIRVIEW PD
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