New Jersey Man Faces Multiple Charges after Police Chase
A Clinton Township traffic stop escalated into a situation that resulted in a Perth Amboy man being charged with a half dozen felony charges. According to a news report in The Hunterdon County Democrat, the incident began on eastbound I-78 in Clinton Township and ended on the Interstate 287. Based on the November 17 indictment, the 26-year-old man gave a fake name to police before stealing a patrol car and driving off.
During his attempted escape, he allegedly reached speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour before crashing on a grassy median. Officers disabled the vehicle and the man was arrested. The charges he faces include aggravated assault, theft by unlawful taking, eluding, hindering apprehension, and resisting arrest.
Eluding the authorities under N.J.S.A. 2C: 29-2 involves a person "who knowingly flees or attempts to elude any police or law enforcement officer after having received any signal from such officer to bring the vehicle or vessel to a full stop commits a crime of the third degree; except that, a person is guilty of a crime of the second degree if the flight or attempt to elude creates a risk of death or injury to any person."
Hindering apprehension is also a crime under New Jersey law. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3, it is a crime "to harbor or conceal, provide a weapon to someone attempting to escape, suppresses evidence, warns someone who is being pursued or prevents or obstructs the authorities."
It is common for individuals facing criminal charges to respond irrationally out of fear. Mistakes can be made and a simple situation can escalate into a life-changing incident. Individuals who are facing multiple charges following an incident with the authorities should seek skilled legal representation.
The experienced New Jersey assault defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of handling criminal cases in New Jersey. If you or a loved one has been arrested or has been charged with a crime, please do not hesitate to call one of our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys at (609) 240-0040 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.
