On Tuesday, April 12th, at approximately 5:33 p.m., Patrolmen Smith and Brian Macdonald were dispatched to West Colfax Avenue near Elm Street for a report of a road rage incident. Upon arrival they met with the driver, a 28-year-old female, and the passenger, a 29-year-old female, both from Roselle Park. The women advised the police that they had been involved in a road rage incident on West Webster Avenue near Faitoute Avenue a few minutes prior. The driver – who was still seated in the 1999 Honda – was covered in broken glass with small cuts on her arms and chest. The First Aid Squad was requested to respond and they transported the driver to the hospital.
Both had stated that they were traveling west on West Webster Avenue near Faitoute Avenue when a black SUV pulled alongside of them. According the women, a male subject then exited the vehicle and began to yell about how he was cut off prior to the intersection. The male then walked up to the Honda’s driver’s side door and punched the window out breaking it. The male driver was described to be approximately 6 feet tall, white, wearing a black hat and blue t-shirt, with a yellow circle tattoo on his right arm. The male then entered the black SUV and traveled in the direction of West Colfax Avenue. The passenger was able to document the license plate number of the black SUV.
Two (2) independent witnesses at the park also observed the incident and corroborated the women’s accounts of the series of events. Broken glass was observed on the ground at the intersection where the incident was said to occur. Statements were taken of the victim and witnesses.
On April 13th, a follow-up investigation conducted by Detective John Deegan led to the identification of Sergio Oliveira, age 44 from Roselle Park. At approximately 3:50 p.m., Mr. Oliveira was located, arrested, and charged with simple assault and criminal mischief regarding to the road rage incident. He was issued a summons and released on his own recognizance with a future court date.