5-25-16 PURSUIT AND ARREST

On Wednesday, May 25th 2016 at approximately 2320hrs Officers Michael Holland #403 & Travis Philhower #397 were traveling southbound on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in the Alpine NJ Section.  During this time they came upon a black Chevy Tahoe with rear end damage and no visible license plates.  The officers illuminated the rear of the truck in an attempt to find a plate and at that time the operator slowed his vehicle.  The officers positioned themselves behind the Tahoe in the right lane and activated their lights and sirens.  The Tahoe continued southbound, refusing to stop.  The pursuit continued for approximately four (4) miles at a speed of approximately 50mph until officers were able to stop the vehicle just south of interchange 1 in the Englewood Cliffs NJ Section.

Once stopped, the operator refused to exit the vehicle under numerous commands from officers.  Officers forced their way into the vehicle by breaking the driver’s window and removed the operator.  He was pepper sprayed during the arrest as he continued to resist.  The operator, later identified as Wilton Sylvestre, was treated for a shoulder injury and pepper spray at Englewood Hospital and later released.  He was returned to the Palisades Parkway NJ Headquarters where he was processed and later lodged in the Bergen County Jail.  During the investigation it was discovered that Mr. Sylvestre was in possession of a ski mask and RF detector (commonly used to detect radio signals) as well as an open traffic warrant from our agency.  A subsequent investigation is continuing into Mr. Sylvestre’s use of the items.