On Friday, June 20, 2014 at approximately 1:00PM, Ramapo Police Officer J. Quinn was patrolling the Village of Montebello when he observed a motorist in need of assistance. He assisted the motorist with removing debris from her vehicle. As he was throwing the debris in a dumpster, at the Airmont Gulf station (North Airmont Road), he observed a male Hispanic, later identified as Jairo Hernandez of the Bronx, seated in a blue vehicle. PO Quinn observed Hernandez holding a plastic bag containing, what PO Quinn believed to be drugs.

PO Quinn attempted to open the door of the vehicle to interview the driver. With the door still open Hernandez sped from the scene narrowly missing pinning PO Quinn between a parked car. PO Quinn pursued the vehicle onto the NYS Thruway, to the Garden State Parkway south, to Red School House Road. On Red School House Road Ramapo Police Officer Raymond Burr was responding to assist PO Quinn. When Hernandez observed the marked patrol car operated by PO Burr coming toward him, Hernandez attempted to turn into a parking lot. Hernandez’s vehicle was unable to handle the turn, jumped the curb, slid sideways and came to rest at the base of a tree. No one was injured.

Hernandez was arrested and charged with: Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 3 (felony) for the contents of the plastic bag (cocaine), Tampering with Physical evidence (felony), Reckless endangerment 2, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Unlawful Fleeing Police 3, Criminal Possession of Marijuana 5 (marijuana hidden in the dashboard), Reckless Driving, as well as 33 traffic tickets (written for both Airmont and Chestnut Ridge village courts).

Nashelly Padilla, also of the Bronx, was a passenger in the car. She was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3.

Airmont Judge Goldman arraigned both parties and set bail. They were transported to Rockland County Jail awaiting bail money.

(YWN Monsey Newsroom)