Motorcyclist who injured two cops found hidden in cooler

Tuxedo - A 31-year-old New Jersey man was charged Monday with assaulting two Town of Tuxedo police officers as they attempted to stop him on his Suzuki motorcycle. Andre T. Morton, of Washington Township, was in a group of five other motorcycle riders stopped by Town of Tuxedo officers after police said they reached speeds of more than 120 mph on Orange County Route 84 in Tuxedo. According to Tuxedo Police Sgt. Patrick W. Welsh, Morton “literally drove through the two officers as they attempted to take him off the motorcycle.” Police said Morton pushed one police officer and injured another officer’s shoulder who had a hold on him as Morton drove away. Morton was the only rider who eluded police custody. According to Welsh, Morton drove through the Village of Greenwood Lake in “a reckless manner.” He then crashed his motorcycle and took off on foot with police in pursuit. Tuxedo Police said the suspect ran into the West Milford ShopRite, only to be discovered hiding in a bakery cooler. Morton, who is on parole for robbery in New Jersey, was initially taken to the Passaic County Jail. He waived extradition to New York and was brought to Greenwood Lake for arraignment; Village Judge Nancy Brenner DeAngelo sent him to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. He is charged with second-degree assault on a police officer, a felony; reckless driving and resisting arrest, misdemeanors; and eight traffic violations. The other five riders were released on several traffic violations each. Both injured Tuxedo Officers were treated and released and resumed work that day.