Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray has announced that detectives from her office arrested two individuals earlier this afternoon after the suspects fled from a motor vehicle stop.
The incident began at approximately 1:00 pm, when detectives from the Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit attempted to stop a Chrysler minivan occupied by two males. According to authorities, the driver of the van then rammed a Prosecutor’s vehicle injuring a detective.
The Chrysler then fled from the scene and collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Summer Avenue and Third Avenue, injuring the driver of this second vehicle with both occupants bailing from the Chrysler.
One male suspect was apprehended by Prosecutor’s detectives after a brief foot chase. The second suspect was arrested a short-time later by Prosecutor’s detectives, Essex County Sheriff’s officers and Newark Police officers according to authorities. In the course of the arrest of these two suspects, detectives recovered an assault firearm.
The detective and civilian that were injured in the vehicle crashes were transported to University Hospital, where they are being treated for non-life threatening injuries, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit.. The identities of the injured detective and driver are being withheld pending notification to relatives , according to Fennelly.
The suspects, whose identities will be released at a later time, will be charged with weapons offenses, aggravated assault , resisting arrest and burglary according to Fennelly, who added that the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Task Force detectives at (877) 847-7432 or (973) 621-4586.
PHOTO COURTESY: NME