9-2-16 PURSUIT AND ARRESTS

September 2, 2016
News

On Friday, September 2nd, 2016 at 2230hrs the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a hit and run motor vehicle collision northbound on the Parkway, north of the Rockefeller Lookout. (The Rockefeller Lookout is located in the Englewood Cliffs NJ Section on the Palisades Interstate Parkway). As officers were responding, a call from NYPD 46th PCT was received reporting that their officers were involved in a pursuit of a vehicle wanted for shots fired. The pursuit started in the Bronx and continued over the George Washington Bridge which was terminated entering the Palisades Parkway northbound. The vehicle, a white 2016 Volkswagen Tiguen was reported in both incidents.

P.O. Timothy Conboy #393 located the vehicle northbound on the Palisades Interstate Parkway near the Alpine Lookout and attempted to affect a motor vehicle stop. The Volkswagen fled the officer continuing northbound at speeds of 100-110 MPH. Officers Michael Collason #401 and Gregory Kimbro #368 joined the pursuit near interchange 2. The pursuit continued a total of five (5) miles before the suspect vehicle lost control near the State Line Lookout and crashed. A total of four (4) occupants exited the vehicle and fled the scene. Three (3) of the suspects were immediately apprehended by the above listed officers. A fourth suspect entered the woods of the State Line Lookout and could not be immediately apprehended.

A large perimeter was established with the assistance of the following agencies: NY State Police, Orangetown NY Police, NYPD Aviation, Alpine NJ Police, Closter NJ Police, Northvale NJ Police, Norwood NJ Police, Tenafly NJ Police, Fort Lee NJ Police, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department.

During the search, information was received that the suspect had exited the woods westbound, and crossed US Route 9-W in Alpine. The perimeter was moved thus cornering the suspect in a two (2) square mile radius. As the search continued, two (2) vehicles were discovered frequenting the area by officers. It was determined that the occupants were called by the outstanding suspect to pick him up from the scene. One occupant, later identified as Genesis Martinez, was found to be in possession of marijuana and arrested.

At approximately 0200hrs, one of the occupants made contact with the suspect via cell phone. Chief Coppola of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department engaged in a negotiation with the suspect, now identified as Justin Cabrera, who surrendered during the call. He was subsequently apprehended at the KiKu Restaurant on US Route 9-W in Alpine NJ by a Closter Police Officer.

During the initial response phases of this incident, a Closter Police Officer received a shoulder injury and a Bergen County Sheriff’s Officer was injured in a motor vehicle collision. This agency cannot comment on the chain of events that occurred prior to entering the Palisades Interstate Parkway or the injuries and refer media to those respective agencies for updates.

The Palisades Interstate Parkway Police Department would like to thank the seamless and coordinated efforts of all agencies involved for their rapid responses that ultimately lead to a successful outcome.