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Health inspector and school security guard was driving a marked city vehicle

A 39-year-old Union City man is facing termination from both of his jobs after he was arrested in Jersey City for drug possession and driving on a suspended drivers license, all while operating a marked city vehicle.

Guido L. Guirado has already been fired from his job as public health inspector, Union City spokesman Mark Albiez told The Jersey Journal.

Guirado caught the attention of two Jersey City police officers because he was driving a marked Union City Health Department Ford Crown Victoria, which stopped at the intersection of Leonard Street and Summit Avenue as if he was looking for someone.

As Guirado sped off, he ran a stop sign then stopped on Leonard Street in the Heights. The officers said he got out of the vehicle and walked up to a stoop where he appeared to buy drugs from a man.

The officers continued to follow Guirado and pulled him over on Grace Street and Central Avenue. As they approached the city vehicle, Guirado opened his door and said, "Officers can we talk? I really don't want to lose my job."

The officers asked why he would lose his job to which Guirado replied, "Because I don't have a license and Union City doesn't know."

The officers then noticed Guirado was stuffing something into his pocket, when they asked him about it he said, "Please officer, can we talk because I don't want to lose my job over this. My supervisor doesn't know I came to Jersey City to buy this," The Jersey Journal reported.

When asked what he was referring to, a pleading Guirado said, "Some coke for a girl I know. I swear it was for a girl. I don't use drugs," Guirado said.

Jersey City police arrested Guirado around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night and charged him with drug possession, driving with a suspended license, failing to observe a stop sign and careless driving. A Union City police officer was called to retrieve the Health Department vehicle and confiscate Guirado's badge and identification.

Union City Superintendent of Schools Stanley Sanger confirmed that Guirado worked at Jose Marti Freshman Academy as a security officer. Sanger said at the next board of education meeting he would recommend Guirado be suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

— ALICIA CRUZ, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM