Woman Kicks Cops during Traffic Stop and Gets Arrested

Around 10:22 AM on January 23, 2023, Officer James Serio with the Little Ferry Police Department observed a 2009 Ford driving without headlights in the rain on Route 46 eastbound. He activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. After initially stopping in the left lane, the vehicle drove over 3 lanes of traffic and pulled over near the intersection of Route 46 eastbound and Bergen Turnpike.

Officer Serio made contact with the driver, later identified as Jennifer, and asked for her documents. Instead of providing her documents, Jennifer kept aimlessly searching through her purse. Her passenger was also constantly going through his pockets, which made Officer Serio suspect that he may be trying to hide something. They told the officer that they were coming from Travelodge, which is known for illegal activity. Since they were both pale and unable to formulate coherent sentences, Officer Serio called for backup and Officers Convery and Fernandes arrived on scene to assist.

One of the officers who arrived as backup recognized Jennifer as someone he had arrested a few weeks earlier, and Jennifer was coincidentally scheduled to appear in the Little Ferry Municipal Court later that day in regards to that incident. Based on his suspicions, Officer Serio asked Jennifer if she would consent to a search of her vehicle, but she answered in an incoherent manner.

A few moments later, Jennifer attempted to walk directly into traffic and Officer Serio had to physically restrain her. At this time, Jennifer became physically aggressive. Officers Convery and Fernandes immediately assisted Officer Serio in restraining Jennifer and they placed handcuffs on her. After she was handcuffed, Jennifer attempted to reach for Officer Serio’s firearm, but Officer Serio moved Jennifer’s hand away from the holster. As he proceeded to escort Jennifer to his patrol car, Jennifer fell to the ground and kicked Officer Serio in his right leg twice. Officer Serio eventually got Jennifer inside the patrol car and closed the door.

Officer Lee arrived shortly afterwards, and he assisted Officer Serio in adjusting Jennifer’s handcuffs while Officer Serio conducted a cursory search. Jennifer’s vehicle was searched and impounded by A&D Towing. While her passenger was briefly handcuffed and detained, he was eventually released from the scene without being charged. Officer Serio transported Jennifer to the Little Ferry Police Department, where she was photographed, fingerprinted, and read her Miranda rights. Detective Ratto processed Jennifer’s criminal charges, and after she signed for her property, Officers Serio and Convery transported her to the Bergen County Jail. Records indicate that a judge ordered her released without any bail the following day on January 24, 2023 at 4:42 PM pending her court appearance.

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