Pursuit Leads to Collision; Suspects at Large

Last night, at approximately 7:15 pm, Officer Matthew Rugel observed a wanted vehicle in the area of Broad St. and Elmwood Dr. The vehicle in question was a 2020 Audi, which had been stolen out of Hazlet, NJ on 4/29/2023. It was also entered as a felony vehicle due to crimes associated with the vehicle and its occupants.

Officer Rugel attempted to stop the vehicle, however the driver refused to do so, instead initiating a motor vehicle pursuit, which traveled through the streets of Clifton and eventually onto Rt. 3 East. The pursuit continued onto Rt 21 South and into the City of Newark. 

In the area of Grafton Avenue and Broadway, the stolen vehicle collided with two civilian vehicles. The three suspects bailed out of the vehicle and took off on foot - with some Clifton officers giving chase, while other officers tended to the civilians involved in the motor vehicle accident.

The foot pursuit continued through the streets of Newark and eventually into a nearby housing complex, where the suspects were able to evade capture.

Minor injuries to the occupants of the civilian vehicles were reported on scene and tended to by EMS. One officer was injured during the foot pursuit and was also tended to by University Hospital EMS.

The suspects remain at large.

press release via: D/Lt. Robert Bracken

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