EAST HANOVER — Five individuals were arrested early Wednesday morning following a police pursuit of a stolen vehicle that began in East Hanover and ended in Montville, according to the East Hanover Police Department. At approximately 1:00 a.m., East Hanover Police Officer Cerese, accompanied by her training officer, Officer Panzarino, identified a stolen Audi Q5 while patrolling residential neighborhoods. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Newark.
When officers attempted a traffic stop on Ridgedale Avenue northbound toward Route 280, the driver fled, prompting a multi-unit pursuit involving several East Hanover Police Department vehicles.
During the pursuit, the fleeing vehicle struck a curb, resulting in a flat tire and significantly reducing its speed. The chase continued through neighboring municipalities before ending in Montville, where all five occupants exited the disabled vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.
Officers immediately apprehended two suspects at the scene. With assistance from multiple local and county law enforcement agencies, the remaining three suspects were located and taken into custody. One suspect attempted to evade arrest by jumping into a pond but was quickly apprehended with the assistance of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.
All suspects were transported to the East Hanover Police Department for processing. Those charged include Qumarrye Richardson, 19, of Bloomfield, and three juveniles, all of whom were released following charges. A fifth suspect, Quadee Tubbs, 19, of Irvington, was taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility.
The East Hanover Police Department expressed appreciation for the coordinated efforts of the Parsippany Police Department, Montville Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, North Caldwell Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and the New Jersey State Police.
Editor’s Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
