Police pursuit ends with shots fired, three arrests

Three Passaic residents were arrested following a motor vehicle and subsequent foot pursuit during which shots were fired, Palisades Interstate Parkway Police reported Tuesday.

Durell Jackson, 21; Patrice L. Ervin, 21 and Nijah K. Cason, 19 were all taken into custody following the chase which began as a motor vehicle pursuit and then quickly turned into a foot chase.

The incident began at approximately 4 a.m. when officers from the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department received word via radio traffic regarding a pursuit originating in Passaic. According to the PIPPD website, officers were following a 2014 Dodge Charger that had been reported stolen and wanted in relation to a prior shooting incident on another date.

"Outside agencies pursued the vehicle which ultimately crossed the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan and then returned across the upper level back into New Jersey.  When the vehicle entered New Jersey, it exited from the George Washington Bridge onto the Palisades Interstate Parkway northbound. Officers from this agency assisted a single Port Authority Police Unit who was pursuing the vehicle," the department said.

As police continued to follow the Dodge Charger north on the Palisades Parkway, the vehicle turned off its headlights before cutting through an area known as Alpine Lookout. Parkway police followed the vehicle to Closter Dock Overpass in Alpine, NJ at which point the car crossed the center median onto the southbound right shoulder.

"The operator jumped from the vehicle while still moving and was run over by the Charger's rear wheel. The operator then rolled under the guardrail and began running," Parkway police said.

One officer began to chase the driver on foot, while three other officers apprehended the other occupants of the vehicle.

According to police, during the course of the foot pursuit of the driver, between the southbound lanes of the Palisades parkway and Route 9W, the officer saw the suspect turn toward him with what has been described as a "shiny black object."

"The officer discharged one shot which missed the operator. The operator continued to run westbound through the dark wooded area, over US Route 9W and into another wooded area," Parkway police said.

As the suspect came close to nearby homes, the officer was able to catch up to, and apprehend him. During the chase, authorities say he discarded several bags of suspected marijuana in a wooded area. the bags were later recovered by investigators.

Police say the driver, Durell Jackson, and the the officer were transported to Engelwood Hospital for minor injuries and evaluation. Authorities also confirmed that the Dodge Charger was stolen out of Passaic and Jackson had multiple criminal warrants as well as an open NCIC warrant from Passaic for eluding police.

Following an investigation, police charged Jackson with eluding by vehicle, eluding by foot, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property, destruction of evidence, possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia and disorderly conduct. Multiple motor vehicle charges are also pending, police said. He was arrested and is being held on $90,500 with no 10 percent option.

The passengers also face charges. Patrice Ervin was charged with riding in vehicle taken without permission and providing false information to police. She is being held on $12,000 bail with no 10 percent option. Nijah K. Cason was charged with riding in vehicle taken without permission and is being held on $5,000 bail with no 10 percent option.

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