Belligerent Man Intervenes in DUI Investigation, Avoids Obstruction Charge in Bogota Borough, NJ
On March 15th, 2023, Officers of the Bogota Borough Police Department (NJ) responded to the area of West Shore Avenue and Walnut Avenue for a report of a motor vehicle accident with a single vehicle into a tree. Upon their arrival, officers made contact with two individuals, Ms. Susan Portalatin and Mr. Joshua Mejia, who were sitting and standing by the crashed vehicle. Josh immediately spoke with officers and tried to take accountability for crashing the vehicle. Sgt. Geraghty quickly dispelled the claims due to evidence within the vehicle indicating it had been operated by one occupant. Sgt. Geraghty also observed Josh running down the street talking on the phone just prior to being dispatched to the accident, placing him outside the vehicle at the time of the crash. Lastly, Susan sustained a hand injury further proving she had been in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Further investigation revealed Susan had just left a local tavern where she had consumed alcoholic beverages. The odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected near Susan leading officers to believe she may be impaired. The former Courthouse employee was also observed slurring her words heavily. After declining transportation to a local hospital for her injuries (laceration to her hand/medically cleared), Susan was placed through field sobriety testing in which she exhibited several indicators of impairment. During this time, Joshua continued to argue with the police stating their testing of Susan was not necessary or proper. Susan was later placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. At that time, she provided two samples of her breath for testing which yielded a BAC % of 0.23, nearly three times the legal limit. She was later issued a traffic citation for driving under the influence and released with a court date. This is Susan’s second DUI offense in the state of New Jersey, with her first being August 10th of 2008. Court records show that Susan is scheduled for court on October 30th, 2023, in which she is being represented by a public defender. Court Records show that three days after this incident on March 18th, 2023, Josh was charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement and resisting arrest/prevents officer from affecting arrest. Additional records show Josh was arrested and remanded to Bergen County Jail on April 28th 2023, for aggravated assault by strangulation, false imprisonment, criminal restraint, making terroristic threats and simple assault. It is unknown if Susan was involved in the incident. ______________________________________________ All videos and case documents were obtained pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (P.L. 2001, c. 404). Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty. This channel is made strictly for educational and news gathering purposes. Not affiliated with any law enforcement agency.
