BAYONNE — A man accused of placing "tire deflation devices" along his street that injured two people and flattened tires on nearly a dozen vehicles has been arrested, police said.

Paul Campbell, 51, was taken into custody on May 5 at his home on Dodge Street. His arrest was the result of an eight-month investigation starting in September 2021.

Police Captain Eric Amato said the devices were placed in the area of Dodge Street, Orient Street, and East Fifth Street.

Campbell's "mischievous actions" flattened at least 11 tires and hurt two people, Amato said. Amato added that both victims injured by the devices had stepped on them.

The devices were described by police as sharp, four-prong metal objects "designed with the purpose to cause a puncture and deflation to vehicle tires as they drive over it."

Campbell is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and 11 counts of criminal mischief to auto.

Dodge, Orient, and East Fifth streets outline a small area called Donohoe Park. It's just large enough for a monument dedicated in 1921 to 104 Bayonne men who died serving in World War 1.

The Donohoe Park World War 1 monument at Bayonne, NJ. (Google Maps)
Donohoe Park. (Google Maps)
loading...

The monument is located down the street from Mary J. Donohoe Elementary School. Police did not say why Campbell placed the devices near the park or if there is any connection to the monument or school.

Rick Rickman is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at richard.rickman@townsquaremedia.com

Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.

Every NJ city and town's municipal tax bill, ranked

A little less than 30 cents of every $1 in property taxes charged in New Jersey support municipal services provided by cities, towns, townships, boroughs and villages. Statewide, the average municipal-only tax bill in 2021 was $2,725, but that varied widely from more than $13,000 in Tavistock to nothing in three townships. In addition to $9.22 billion in municipal purpose taxes, special taxing districts that in some places provide municipal services such as fire protection, garbage collection or economic development levied $323.8 million in 2021.

New Jersey's new legislative districts for the 2020s

Boundaries for the 40 legislative districts for the Senate and Assembly elections of 2023 through 2029, and perhaps 2031, were approved in a bipartisan vote of the Apportionment Commission on Feb. 18, 2022. The map continues to favor Democrats, though Republicans say it gives them a chance to win the majority.

Voting for the 2022 class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame

These are the nominees for the 2022 class of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. They come from all walks of live, spanning generations back to the colonial era. The nominees cover the categories of Arts & Letters, Enterprise, Performing Arts & Entertainment, Public Service and Sports.

To vote, visit the Hall of Fame website here.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM