Wild cases for Jersey City cops lead to several officers hurt

Friday, April 24, 2009
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Four Jersey City police officers were injured yesterday, including an officer who was attacked while making an arrest at the Montgomery Gardens Housing Complex, officials said.

As narcotics officers searched persons nearby, Officer Kevin Doran was punched under the chin by Derek Stevens, 35, of Kensington Avenue, at around 11 a.m., reports said.

The blow caused Doran to hit his head on a wall and fall to the ground in the building's vestibule, where he struck his head again, reports said.

Doran called out for help, and other officers chased down Stevens, who ran into a police car and tried to take an officer's gun, reports said.

Stevens was arrested on multiple drug charges and other offenses, reports said.

Doran was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center, as was Officer Walter Chowenec, who suffered injuries to his knee and hand during the capture of Stevens, who finished a prison term for a drug offense on Nov. 13, officials said. Both officers were treated and released, official said.

In another incident, at about 9 a.m., Officer Thomas Revel was driving an enclosed scooter, when he was cut off at Kennedy Boulevard and Union Avenue, reports said. The scooter went out of control and slammed into a traffic light pole, toppling the pole, reports said.

The driver left the scene and wasn't found. Revel was treated and released from the Medical Center for bruises to his head and knees, reports said.

In a separate incident, Officer Frank Russo was in the Newport Centre Mall at 11:08 a.m. when he found Bridget Cocharlo, 29, of Summit, acting incoherently, reports said.

After Russo called for an ambulance, Cocharlo yelled, "I don't need an (expletive) ambulance. Leave me alone," and struck and bit Russo, reports said.

Russo was taken to Christ Hospital, where he was treated and released, officials said. Cocharlo was charged with aggravated assault on an officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, reports said.