Stolen Con Ed truck found in Mount Arlington

MOUNT ARLINGTON  An SUV that was stolen from the area of a police command center in Manhattan that was set up for Monday's visit by President Obama to the United Nations General Assembly wound up with two flat tires in a Quick Chek parking lot after its driver lost control of the vehicle.

Borough Officer Matthew Fortunato on Monday signed a criminal complaint that charges Horacio F. Garnsey, 51, of Allentown, Pa., with receiving stolen property -- a Jeep Patriot SUV owned by Consolidated Edison in New York City and loaded with equipment that belongs to the Con Ed energy company, according to authorities and the complaint.

Borough Police Chief Keith Licata said Thursday that federal Homeland Security officials were alerted because the Con Ed jeep was stolen around 1 a.m. Monday from the area of a New York City Police Department command center established for Obama's visit and speech to the U.N.

Garnsey is charged in Morris County only with being in possession of the stolen jeep and New York police would have to charge him with the actual theft, Licata said.

Police responded to the Quick Chek parking lot on Howard Boulevard at 3:20 a.m. Monday, after being alerted by a motorist of an erratic driver in the Jeep Patriot.

Garnsey, who Licata said was uncooperative and initially provided a false name, had gotten off Route 80 West at Exit 30 in the reportedly-stolen SUV.  From the off-ramp, he drove straight across Howard Boulevard and jumped the curb, sidewalk and grass in front of the Quick Chek, narrowly missing two pedestrians in the parking lot, Licata said.  The SUV came to a stop with two blown-out front tires, the chief said.

"He said he was trying to get home to Allentown," Licata said.

He said the defendant had driven the SUV with his left foot because the lower portion of his right leg was amputated sometime in the past.  The chief said that "medical conditions" also may have contributed to the loss of control off the ramp and that Garnsey was taken to a hospital where he stayed about 26 hours before being sent to the Morris County jail.

Garnsey is being held in the county jail on $30,000 bail.   Police determined the SUV had been stolen and were in touch with Homeland Security.  The vehicle has been returned to Con Ed, Licata said.

   Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.