Woman Strikes Multiple Vehicles After Hijacking Car at Valet in Atlantic City

On January 1, 2016 at 3:05am, uniformed Officers responded to the Tropicana Hotel and Casino valet area in reference to a vehicle striking multiple parked vehicles.

Officers arrived to find that Tropicana security officers had already detained the driver, Joanna Kostas, a 39 year old Mays Landing, NJ resident.  Kostas entered an unoccupied vehicle that was waiting in a valet lane to be parked.  The keys were in the ignition and while attempting to leave valet, Kostas struck four parked, unoccupied vehicles.  She was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for non-life threatening injuries.

After an investigation conducted by Officer Joseph Bereheiko from the Accident Investigations Section, Kostas was charged with two traffic offenses, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.  Kostas was additionally criminally charged with unlawful taking of means of conveyance.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Accident Investigations Section at 609-347-5744.  Information can be text to TIP411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.  All texts are anonymous.  Information can also be called into Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234.

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