Officers Injured After Man Allegedly Steals Police Cruiser, Crashes In Paramus
PARAMUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- At least five officers were injured after authorities say a man stole an Englewood Cliffs police cruiser, led officers on a chase through part of New Jersey and then crashed in Paramus.
The chase happened at approximately 3:40 p.m. Sunday.
It all began when a woman in a Mercedes stopped to help a man lying in the middle of the road in Englewood Cliffs, police said.
"She thought he was choking," Englewood Cliffs Police Department and Chief Michael Cioffi told WCBS 880's Sean Adams. "She got out of the car to go see if she could help him and that is when he got up and ran back toward the car to steal the car."
Two children were inside the car, but police say they were able to get out.
Officers Injured After Man Allegedly Steals Police Cruiser, Crashes In Paramus
Police began to pursue the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Sereymanta Kong of Connecticut, and a chase continued through Englewood Cliffs, Bergenfield, Tenafly, Dumont.
The suspect rammed several police cars in the stolen car then police say he got into an accident in the Montana Country club parking lot with an Englewood Cliff's police officer. The officer and the suspect were engaged in a fight and the suspect managed to steal the officer's car.
The suspect took off again continuing to hit police cars. The suspect was finally arrested in Paramus after crashing the stolen police vehicle on Route 4, CBS2's Matt Kozar reported.
At least five police officers were injured as a result of the chase.
The extent of the officers' injuries is not known.
Kong is being treated for injuries at Bergen Pine Regional Medical Center.
He is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and bail has been set at $1 million, Adams reported.
