Crime & Safety
Man Arrested for Warrant Despite Giving Fake Name to Police
James Baptista, 28, identified himself by using his brother-in-law's name to avoid arrest on an outstanding felony warrant. His brother-in-law also had an arrest warrant.
By Bay City News—
A man who gave Newark police a fake name because he had a warrant was foiled because there was an outstanding warrant for the name he provided, police said.
Two detectives were eating lunch at Mountain Mike's Pizza at 5333 Thornton Ave. at about 5:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon when they noticed a suspicious vehicle, police said.
Another officer responded and approached two people in the vehicle, identified as James Baptista, 28, and Kristina Cardone, 30.
Baptista gave the officer his brother-in-law's name because he had an outstanding warrant for possession of a stolen vehicle, police said. But Baptista's brother-in-law also had a misdemeanor warrant from a previous arrest.
Eventually Baptista revealed his true name, police said. Cardone also had a warrant for possession of methamphetamine, and a search of their vehicle revealed more methamphetamine, police said.
They were booked for the warrants and on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine. Baptista was also booked on suspicion of providing a false name to a police officer.
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