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Linden Cop Once Hailed as Hero Faces DWI Charges

Linden

Linden officer, honored by officials after he helped to capture bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahimi last year, has been charged with driving while intoxicated after Saturday's crash.

According to police, sometime around 5 p.m., police responded to a report of a crash on West St. George Avenue.

Arriving officers recognized 49-year-old Angel Padilla, as one of two drivers involved and immediately contacted a supervisor, who took over the investigation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Padilla - who was not injured - crashed his 2011 Jeep into a 2013 Cadillac, operated by a 54-year-old woman, who was evaluated at the scene for minor injuries.

Police arrested and charged Padilla with driving while intoxicated who was released pending a court appearance. As the incident is investigated, Padilla will be on administrative leave.

Padilla is one of two officers recognized capturing bombing suspect, Ahmad Khan Rahimi on Sept. 19, when they responded to a call of a man sleeping on the steps of Merdie's Tavern.

DWI
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