Angry Woman Driver Assaults Maplewood Police

Maplewood police were allegedly cursed and spat at by a female driver whom they stopped for erratic driving on Friday afternoon, April 15.

Once arrested the woman then tried to kick out the rear window of the squad car, according to police, damaging the frame and was later charged with disorderly conduct for this.

At 2:45 p.m. on Friday, Maplewood Det. Lt. James Wavra stopped a car on Springfield Avenue near Boyden Avenue after he saw the driver, later identified as Stephanie Ann Fragoso, driving the length of Springfield Avenue in her 2004 Honda Civic in the turning lane while passing a number of cars as she did so. 

After further investigation, Wavra determined the car’s registration was suspended in Maryland for unpaid traffic tickets and as a result would have to be impounded. When police officers informed Fragoso, a 21-year-old Floridian, police report that she became irate and began to curse and spit at police. 

As the officers tried to place Fragoso under arrest, they report finding an 8-inch knife in a purse she was holding. The knife was confiscated.

Fragoso was charged with possession of a weapon, and assault on a police officer.

Fragoso was later turned over to the Essex County Jail and held for $2,500 bail.