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Tenese N. Thompson, 36, “became agitated and attempted to walk away” from officers responding to the PNC Bank just before 6 p.m. Monday, Capt. Michael deMoncada said.
Officials at the Highwood Avenue bank had called them, he said, after Thompson tried cashing a $956.87 check that belonged to someone else.
Thompson “refused to comply with directions of officers and flailed her arms in an attempt to avoid being taken into custody,” deMoncada said. “While being placed in handcuffs, [she] struck an officer in the neck and grabbed another officer causing a bruise and scratch.”
Both officers refused medical attention at the scene, he said.
Police believe that Thompson “was driven to the area with several accomplices at the time of her arrest, although it appears they fled in an unknown vehicle before officers could locate them,” deMoncada said.
It turns out she’d been using a bogus New York State driver’s license and credit card in the name of a “Nicole Smith” in an attempt to cash the check, the captain said.
Thompson also was carrying a small amount of Oxycodone without a prescription, he said.
Although she was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, illegal drug possession and exhibiting fake documents, police had to release Thompson pending a trial under New Jersey’s 2017 Bail Reform & Speedy Trial Act.
Meanwhile, detectives were investigating whether Thompson had been to other banks before her arrest.
If you’ve seen her or have information about her or others that could help the investigation, deMoncada asked that you contact Tenafly detectives: (201) 568-5100.
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