Crime & Safety

MPD Arrest Man Fleeing Accidents

Chatham man arrested last week in Mall at Short Hills parking lot suspected of drunk driving.

 

A 65-year-old Chatham man was arrested on Nov. 23 in Short Hills after attempting to leave the scene of multiple accidents at the mall, Millburn police said.

Marco Martins Moreira was arrested around 7:10 p.m. in the parking lot of the Mall at Short Hills after police said he hit a traffic sign and was parked on the island at the intersection of the mall and JFK Parkway North.

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According to police, when officers approached his Audi A8, Moreira pulled away and drove until he hit a parked Ford pick-up truck, moving it out of its spot. Police continued their pursuit of the car, before pulling it over.

However, as the officer attempted to pull in behind the car, Moreira suddenly backed up, striking the police car. 

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As police approached his car, police said Moreira refused roll down his window.

Moreira eventually got out of the car, police said, and told police, "this is all unnecessary," after the officer asked him to get out of the car multiple times.

Police also reported Moreira was unable to stand up on his own. He was then arrested for suspected drunk driving and brought him to Overlook Medical Center, 99 Beauvoir Ave., in Summit, for testing, police said, but refused to take a blood-alcohol test. He was eventually brought to Millburn Police Headquarters, 435 Essex St. to be processed.

Moreira was issued summonses for refusal to take a Breathalyzer test, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to report an accident, careless driving, reckless driving and failure to stop for an emergency vehicle.

Police said Moreira's Florida license identified him as a resident of Fort Lauderdale.

However, when released to his daughter and son-in-law, police were told he was actually a Chatham resident.


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