3 Police Car Chases In Essex County Cross Town Lines – Montclair, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A series of recent police car chases that started in Cedar Grove stretched across town lines and involved officers from the New Jersey State Police, Verona, Montclair and Little Falls.

One of the car chases involved a vehicle pursued into West Orange that was reported stolen out of Belleville, authorities said.

On Monday, Cedar Grove Police Chief Joseph Cirasa released details about three incidents that recently took place in the township.

Cirasa said residents did a “great job” reporting “suspicious vehicles” involved in the incidents.

“Please continue to lock and remove keys and valuables from your vehicles,” Cirasa said. “It will the deter thefts and discourage the behavior. If you should observe suspicious activity or a crime, contact police immediately. Do not investigate or confront the actors on your own.”

‘SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE LURKING ON STREET’ – “On Aug. 12 at 1 a.m., a Westview Court resident reported a suspicious vehicle lurking on the street. Officers began to check the area. Officer Johnson located the vehicle in the Highpoint Complex. The vehicle was traveling on the wrong side of the roadway. Officers attempted to stop the suspects. The vehicle fled out of the complex and headed toward Route 23. The vehicle a black Hyundai was occupied by three younger males and one female. Officer chose not to pursue due to the risk to the workman in the roadway while in the roadway paving on the highway. However further South Verona PD was able to assist getting the license plate and pursuing the vehicle into West Orange. It was lost crossing Eagle Rock Avenue. It was found that the suspect had been trying car doors on Westview Court. The Hyundai was reported stolen out of Belleville.”

‘VEHICLE TRAVELING 100 MPH’ – “On Aug. 12 at 3:45 a.m., the Little Falls PD reported that they were in pursuit of suspicious vehicle traveling at 100 mph southbound on Route 23 in Cedar Grove. The vehicle was traveling toward the Route 23 roadway paving operation. Little Falls PD was advised of the workman in the roadway and immediately terminated the pursuit. A short time later the vehicle crashed on Route 23 near the intersection of Claremont Avenue in Verona. Four to five young males fled on foot from the vehicle and were later apprehended by the NJSP, Verona, Cedar Grove and Montclair officers. The five suspects were transported to Little Falls PD. The vehicle had been reported stolen.”

‘ATTEMPTED MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT’ – “On Aug. 16 at 1 a.m., an Eileen Drive resident reported an attempted motor vehicle theft. Officers began to check the area. Sgt. Rodriguez located a black Honda CRV in the newer section of Eileen Drive. The vehicle was occupied by three young males. When Sgt. Rodriguez attempted to stop the vehicle, it fled down Vincent Road toward Route 23. The vehicle turned northbound on Route 23 toward Little Falls. Officer Grawehr pursued the vehicle briefly however the officer was unable catch up to the car. It was last seen traveling into Little Falls exceeding 100 mph. We suspect the Honda had been stolen out of Wyckoff and was pursued earlier that evening by Mountain Lakes PD for burglary.”

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