Jersey City woman slashed with box cutter at chicken joint

By Ken Thorbourne/The Jersey Journal
February 28, 2010, 4:59PM

A 21-year-old Jersey City woman was slashed in the face with a box cutter after she got into a verbal dispute with another customer at a chicken joint early today, reports said.

Vanessa Ponder, of Halladay Street in Jersey City, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, Police Lt. Edgar Martinez said.

Officers were called to the restaurant at 278 Bergen Ave. on a report of a dispute at 3:35 a.m. On their way there, the victim flagged down the officers at Belmont and Bergen avenues and told them she was cut with box cutter on the left side of her face, reports said.

The victim, who sustained two deep cuts, told cops she had gotten into an argument with another customer over chicken orders, reports said.

Police located Ponder and held her until the victim could positively identify her, reports said. The victim was taken to the Jersey City Medical Center; Ponder to the Hudson County jail, reports said.