FAIRFIELD, NJ – The Fairfield Police Department spotted an unregistered vehicle with no license plates cruising around tow before initiating a traffic stop. It turns out the vehicle was stolen out of Jersey City and nothing about the person or the vehicle was real. The driver had a fake driver’s license and a New Jersey license plate on the dashboard.
Mahmoud Abdelmeged, 19, of West New York was charged for receiving stolen property, identity theft, exhibiting false government documents and hindering apprehension on December 12, 2020.
On that date, at approximately 4:00 AM, Officer Nicholas Cocchi was on patrol in the area of Hollywood Avenue when he allegedly observed a 2019 Toyota Prius, initially cruising through the parking lot of the Walgreens parking lot located on Route 46 West and then doing the same in the parking lot of Retro Fitness located directly across the street. As the officer checked further, the officer noticed the vehicle had several motor vehicle violations to include not having a front or rear license plate. He initiated a traffic stop on Route 46 East and found the vehicle to be operated by Abdelmeged.
The officer requested the driver’s credentials. It is alleged that Abdelmeged produced a New Jersey driver’s license that had another individual’s name and photo on it. A New Jersey license plate was also observed on the dashboard of the vehicle. Further investigation confirmed that the Toyota had been reported stolen to the Jersey City Police Department on December 11, 2020. Abdelmeged was then placed under arrest without incident and the vehicle impounded.
In addition to the criminal charges, he was also issued three motor vehicle summonses. Abdelmeged was then transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility pending a bail hearing in the Superior Court in Newark.
“As always, our officers are out there 24 hours a day looking for criminals who may think that they can find greater opportunities because of the hour of the morning. But as happens often, they were wrong” said Chief Anthony G. Manna.