tammzenn
01-17-2007, 04:42 PM
96-year-old arrested, hospitalized in N.J.
By RICHARD KHAVKINE, Home News Tribune (New Brunswick, N.J.)
Posted Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 7:41 am
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. — Charlie Uzar, a 96-year-old city man sentenced to a 93-day jail term for a series of motor-vehicle violations, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon but swiftly transported to Raritan Bay Medical Center after complaining of chest pains while at the police station.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., right after finishing his hospital dinner, Uzar said he was being discharged.
"They were prepared to send me to the county workhouse," Uzar said by telephone Tuesday evening. "I'm going to call a taxi and go home. So far, everything is in my favor."
Police, though, said that unless Uzar posts bail, he would be transported to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick if and when he is released from the hospital.
A warrant for Uzar's arrest, with a $10,000 bail provision, had been issued Tuesday morning, despite what his attorney said were his in-person efforts to convince a municipal judge that Uzar's advanced age merited special consideration and leniency.
"He was extremely agitated and nervous," the attorney, Peter Book, said about his client's recent condition. "He's very much worried."
In November, Uzar was found guilty on three counts of driving with a suspended license, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and one count each of failing to report an accident, driving with an uninsured vehicle and driving carelessly.
Police Chief Michael Kohut said Uzar was arrested at his home at about 3 p.m. He was not handcuffed, Kohut said.
"Mr. Uzar was compliant," Kohut said. "We processed him. He reported difficulty breathing, and we took him to the hospital."
While Kohut said every effort would be made to make Uzar comfortable, "If he's being released with a medical clearance, he's being transported to the county workhouse unless he posts bail."
And Book had said that city authorities would keep Uzar in the hospital rather than take him to jail. "That is the policy," Book said about 7 p.m. "It's much more dignified than putting him in a cell."
Despite police and his attorney's assurances to the contrary, the Brighton Avenue man answered his home telephone at 9 p.m. Tuesday night, albeit with a complaint.
"I have a migraine," Uzar said.
By RICHARD KHAVKINE, Home News Tribune (New Brunswick, N.J.)
Posted Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 7:41 am
PERTH AMBOY, N.J. — Charlie Uzar, a 96-year-old city man sentenced to a 93-day jail term for a series of motor-vehicle violations, was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon but swiftly transported to Raritan Bay Medical Center after complaining of chest pains while at the police station.
Shortly before 6:30 p.m., right after finishing his hospital dinner, Uzar said he was being discharged.
"They were prepared to send me to the county workhouse," Uzar said by telephone Tuesday evening. "I'm going to call a taxi and go home. So far, everything is in my favor."
Police, though, said that unless Uzar posts bail, he would be transported to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in North Brunswick if and when he is released from the hospital.
A warrant for Uzar's arrest, with a $10,000 bail provision, had been issued Tuesday morning, despite what his attorney said were his in-person efforts to convince a municipal judge that Uzar's advanced age merited special consideration and leniency.
"He was extremely agitated and nervous," the attorney, Peter Book, said about his client's recent condition. "He's very much worried."
In November, Uzar was found guilty on three counts of driving with a suspended license, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, and one count each of failing to report an accident, driving with an uninsured vehicle and driving carelessly.
Police Chief Michael Kohut said Uzar was arrested at his home at about 3 p.m. He was not handcuffed, Kohut said.
"Mr. Uzar was compliant," Kohut said. "We processed him. He reported difficulty breathing, and we took him to the hospital."
While Kohut said every effort would be made to make Uzar comfortable, "If he's being released with a medical clearance, he's being transported to the county workhouse unless he posts bail."
And Book had said that city authorities would keep Uzar in the hospital rather than take him to jail. "That is the policy," Book said about 7 p.m. "It's much more dignified than putting him in a cell."
Despite police and his attorney's assurances to the contrary, the Brighton Avenue man answered his home telephone at 9 p.m. Tuesday night, albeit with a complaint.
"I have a migraine," Uzar said.