In an update to the article “Reported Missing Car In Accident On Lehigh Avenue” (link), on July 20, 2011, Nickolas R. Genovese, age 20 of Roselle Park, was charged with 2C:29-3(a)(7) (hindering the apprehension of another). Mr. Genovese gave false statements to detectives investigating the whereabouts of Michael Gedman, the registered owner of the vehicle involved in a leaving the scene of an accident and filing a false stolen car report.
On July 20, 2011, Michael A. Gedman, age 22 of Roselle Park, was charged with 2C:29-3(b)(4) (hindering his own apprehension), two (2) counts of 2C:28-4(b)(1) (false reports to law enforcement), 39:4-129 (leaving the scene of an accident), 39:4-130 (failure to report accident), and 39:4-97 (careless driving).
Mr. Gedman was behind the wheel of his 1997 Volkswagen Golf on July 4, 2011 at 2:25 a.m. when his vehicle veered off the road and struck a legally parked vehicle on Lehigh Avenue, pushing the parked vehicle onto the front lawn of a residence.
Mr. Gedman then exited his vehicle, leaving the keys inside, and fled the area. He was contacted later by police officers through his family members. When Mr. Gedman arrived at this residence a while later on foot, he denied driving the vehicle and told officers his vehicle was stolen; prompting officers to file a report of a stolen vehicle. The next day, on July 5, 2011, Mr. Gedman contacted his insurance carrier “Progressive Insurance” and informed the carrier that his vehicle was stolen.
Mr. Gedman and Mr. Genovese have a Roselle Park Municipal Court first appearance date of July 28, 2011.