Authorities: Armed Bronx man carjacked 2 vehicles, slashed PAPD officer on George Washington Bridge during arrest
South Hackensack police responded to a Wendy's on Route 46 following a reported crash and stolen vehicle around 2:34 a.m. Detectives later determined that the crashed vehicle was “stolen out of New York City during an armed carjacking,” prosecutors say.
A Bronx man with a long rap sheet is accused in a series of armed car thefts and a knife attack against police officers in Bergen County.
South Hackensack police responded to the Wendy's on Route 46 following a reported crash and stolen vehicle around 2:34 a.m. on Sunday. Detectives later determined that the crashed vehicle was “stolen out of New York City during an armed carjacking,” prosecutors say.
Authorities say the occupant of the crashed vehicle, later identified as 42-year-old Uvaldo Gonzalez, abandoned it and unsuccessfully tried to steal another nearby vehicle.
Prosecutors say Gonzalez went on to commit an “armed carjacking of an additional vehicle, allowing him to flee the scene before officers arrived.”
According to Port Authority police, the Toyota Sienna was stolen from a South Hackensack business and then located on the George Washington Bridge. It had one tire missing and was driving erratically.
When Port Authority police found Gonzalez, he then attacked officers with a knife and attempted to stab one of the officers in the face, prosecutors say.
That officer was left with multiple cuts to his face, according to Port Authority police. The officer and two others were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.
Police say Gonzalez “also attempted to steal a police patrol vehicle during the confrontation.”
Gonzalez was ultimately arrested and hospitalized.
According to Port Authority police, Gonzalez has a history of 17 prior arrests which include charges of burglary, narcotics, criminal trespass and assault. He also had two active warrants – one from the NYPD and one New York State Department of Corrections.
Gonzalez faces charges of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault and receiving stolen property. As of Sunday evening, the incident was still an active investigation involving the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, South Hackensack Police, Port Authority and NYPD.
Back in South Hackensack, construction crews were seen Sunday afternoon boarding up the Wendy’s damaged in the original crash. Only drive-thru operations were opened.
Jezza, a manager at neighboring Mr. Green Flower, recalled going to the fast-food restaurant earlier in the day.
"I was wondering why there was a hole at Wendy’s earlier," said Jezza. "I left my car parked here last night…It’s that kind of place that you feel safe leaving your car here. That’s crazy. The carjacking is crazy. The police stabbing is crazy."
