Man attempts to shoot at officers, hits inside of own car, Edison police say

A North Carolina man is being held on $250,000 bail after he allegedly attempted to shoot at Edison police during a chase down Route 1, NJ.com reported.

Police say Jesse D. Namotka, of Sylva, N.C.took his female cousin in a vehicle against her will Saturday at about 12:45 p.m. At one point, the cousin leaped out of the Jeep Cherokee on Route 1 at Wooding Avenue.

"Police say Namotka, frightened by his cousin's sudden departure from the vehicle, hit another car, but then fled the scene," NJ.com reported. Police saw the damaged vehicle and began chasing Namotka, who then lost control of the Jeep and ultimately surrendered to police.

During the course of an initial investigation, police officers found 12 packets of heroin, along with a small quantity of cocaine, a revolver and a semi-automatic handgun in the vehicle. In addition, the backseat contained several bullet holes and slugs from the revolver, indicating that he was attempting to shoot at police at some point during the chase.

According to NJ.com, Namotka — who is wanted for a parole violation in connection with a robbery in another location - was charged by Edison police with carjacking, attempted murder, criminal restraint, drug and weapon possession, possession of heroin and cocaine with intent to distribute, eluding police and leaving the scene of an accident.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.