A high-speed police pursuit ended with a combative suspect in custody Friday afternoon after his vehicle crashed on the Route 17/287 flyover in Mahwah, an incident first reported by Jerry DeMarco Independent Online News.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. when officers with the Mahwah Police Department were on northbound Route 287. According to Mahwah Police Capt. Michael Blondin, Officer Gino Perrelli had conducted a traffic stop when an unrelated vehicle pulled onto the shoulder nearby.
As Officer Perrelli approached to see if assistance was needed, the driver of that vehicle suddenly reversed and rammed the previously stopped car multiple times before fleeing northbound on Route 287, police said. Officer Perrelli attempted to stop the fleeing vehicle, but the driver continued at a high rate of speed.At the time, Mahwah officers were unaware that Franklin Lakes police had begun searching for the suspect due to suspicious activity at his former place of employment. Additional Mahwah units joined the pursuit as it continued.
Police said the suspect drove across the grass from Route 287 onto the Exit 66 flyover before losing control at the bottom of the ramp, crashing into a guardrail and disabling a Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan near a “Welcome to New Jersey” sign.
Officers approached the vehicle with weapons drawn and a ballistic shield after the driver refused commands to show his hands and exit the vehicle. Capt. Blondin said the suspect made repeated movements toward the center console. When officers opened the driver’s door, the suspect again reached into the vehicle and resisted as officers pulled him out and took him into custody.
The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Mahwah resident Anthony M. Jean. Public records list his most recent address at the Ramapo Brae Town Homes off Stag Hill Road, just minutes from where he was arrested.
New Jersey State Police troopers and officers from the Franklin Lakes Police Department also responded to the scene. Jean was transported to Mahwah Police headquarters for processing and later remanded to the Bergen County Jail.
Photos: Nitin Shukla, Jim Booth
