During the early morning hours on Christmas Eve, Verona Police arrested a Livingston man on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Guipps Laguerre, age 38, was taken into custody after a pursuit on Bloomfield Ave which ended in Montclair when his vehicle struck a curb and became disabled. While on routine patrol, Officer Joseph Pami was monitoring the Statewide Police Emergency Network (SPEN) and heard Parsippany Police had pursued a black Nissan eastbound on Route 46 into Montville, where they terminated their pursuit. The vehicle was wanted for suspicious activity. A short time later, Officer Pami located a vehicle and driver fitting the description in the area of Bloomfield Ave and Linn Drive. Officer Pami followed the vehicle and observed it to be traveling erratically, swerving from lane to lane. A motor vehicle stop was attempted only to have the driver, Laguerre, accelerate at a high rate of speed eastbound on Bloomfield Ave. Officer Pami safely remained behind the suspect vehicle when he observed it strike a curb several times and ultimately become disabled on Bloomfield Ave at Valley Road in Montclair. Laguerre was then taken into custody after a brief struggle with the officers. Several open containers of alcohol were found inside the vehicle.
Laguerre was charged with the following: Eluding Police (2nd degree), Resisting Arrest (disorderly persons offense) and 9 motor vehicle summonses, including Driving While Intoxicated. He was also charged with Eluding and several motor vehicle offenses by Parsippany Police. After processing, he was transported to Essex County Correctional Facility for arraignment.
“Another excellent job by Sergeant Lecreux and the Verona Police Midnight Shift. Credit to Officer Pami for being keenly aware of surrounding towns suspected criminal activity that could affect Verona and our residents. Officer Pami, Officer Colon and Officer Maguire all remained vigilant to their duties and I believe prevented a Christmas tragedy. By safely taking Mr. Laguerre off the road and into custody, they prevented him from hurting himself or another innocent party. These officers’ tenacious sentinel patrol are credit to this Department,” said Chief Christopher Kiernan.
