NEWS

Madison police: N.Y. Jet wife accusation under investigation

Chief: stop was for cell phone, tinted windows

William Westhoven
@WWesthoven
AP
Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie responds to questions during a news conference after practice at team?s training camp earlier this week.
New York Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie (31) responds to questions during a news conference after practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2015, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Madison Police Chief Darren Dachisen said Monday that implied allegations of an improper traffic stop of the wife of New York Jets football player Antonio Cromartie against one of his officers have been referred to county authorities for further investigation.

Terricka Cromartie posted a video on social media Friday after being stopped by a Madison police officer, during which she questioned him about the stop and implying she was pulled over because she is black. The Jets have their corporate headquarters and practice facilities in neighboring Florham Park.

"So apparently you can't be black, you can't drive a nice car in Madison at 11:30 in the morning," she says while taking a "selfie" video in her car. "I mean, who cares if you just came from the nail shop, didn't get a ticket, the police let you go and say have a nice day, like that's OK."

The video also shows her questioning the officer who stopped her.

After discussing the tinted windows, she asks him "So now I have to tell you why I'm in Madison?"

"You don't have to," he replies.

"Then why are you asking why I'm in Madison?" she asks.

"Just curious," he replies.

"You don't have to be curious why I'm in Madison," she says.

"Just hang tight for me, ma'am, and I'll be right back, all right?" he replies.

The video, posted on Friday, made the rounds on social media, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and You Tube.

She also posted about the stop on Friday on Twitter, writing "When you get pulled over for driving Black in Madison.. Why are you in Madison??? What did I do..."

She also Tweeted "Driving while Black. I'm lucky to be able to even make this message so many weren't luck (sic). But..."

"The Madison Police Department has received a complaint from Ms. Terricka Cromartie which was discovered by this agency through a media inquiry and social media," Dachisen wrote in a statement issued Monday afternoon. "Due to the nature of the allegation, this agency proactively referred this case to the proper county authority as per the New Jersey Attorney General guidelines."

Terricka Cromartie was stopped for operating a motor vehicle while on a cell phone and having tinted windows, Dachsen said.

"The summonses will be adjudicated in the Madison Municipal Court in the near future," he wrote. "Ms. Cromartie’s allegations will be thoroughly and objectively investigated to their logical conclusion."

Antonio Cromartie, a four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection and 2007  NFL Defensive Back of the Year, played with the Jets from 2010 to 2013 before leaving to sign a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals. He returned to the Jets in 2015, having signed a new four-year, $32 million contract.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.