Driver, on parole, drove head-on into police vehicle, then fled leaving trail of drugs, reports say
This section is based on data provided to the Northern Valley Press by neighborhood police departments. Due to pending court appearances and other variations, the following information shall be read in “press time” context.
CRESSKILL, N.J.—A Dumont man who fled a pursuing police cruiser drove his Dodge Durango head-on into another cop car driven by a police sergeant, then ran from the scene, leaving a trail of drugs and paraphernalia, on Jan. 4 at 2:10 p.m., according to officer reports.
Edward Arnold of Davies Avenue in Dumont is being held in Bergen County Jail, charged with aggravated assault on a police officer and other crimes.
Sgt. Jeremy Luciano was treated for pain in his knee after the crash, which occurred on Maple Street in Dumont.
Patrolman Matthew Banta had been attempting to stop Arnold’s car after he observed it operating on Hamilton Avenue without a functioning brake light, he wrote in his report.
When Banta activated his vehicle’s lights and siren, the suspect’s vehicle accelerated on Merritt Avenue, making a series of unsignaled turns on local streets while driving about 65 mph, Banta wrote.
“Just east of 14th Street, the suspect vehicle slightly turned and headed head-on into Sgt. Luciano’s vehicle,” Banta wrote. “Sgt. Luciano turned his vehicle in attempt to avoid getting hit; however, the suspect struck him in the front driver-side quarter panel, causing Sgt. Luciano to spin 90 degrees and disabling his vehicle.”
Banta wrote that the suspect’s vehicle spun out of control, doing a 180 degree turn—Arnold then exited and ran, jumping a Maple Street fence.
Banta signaled to Patrolman Joshua Basket—who had been with Banta for field training—to run up Knickerbocker to cut off the suspect’s attempt to flee.
Banta climbed a fence, pursuing Arnold and shouting commands to get on the ground. Basket came around Maple on Knickerbocker and closed in on Arnold, catching up to him and tackling him to the ground, Banta wrote.
Basket got on top of Arnold, placed him under arrest, and held him down. Banta was able to get control of his legs and off-duty Englewood Officer Anthony Gallo, who was passing by, assisted with the arrest.
The fire department was requested for the motor vehicle crash, and Sgt. Luciano requested supervisors to the scene. Responding officers include Chief Edward Wrixon, Deputy Chief Jim Domville, Capt. Joseph Trumbetti, Lt. Bert Looby and Detective Sgt. Jason Lanzilotti. The county’s fatal accident investigation unit and bureau of criminal investigations also responded.
Wrixon took Luciano, Basket and Banta to the hospital for evaluation.
Arnold’s parole officer was contacted and advised Arnold should be held without bail at Bergen County Jail.
Back at the crime scene, Lanzilotti surveyed the crash. He observed hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia throughout the car, he wrote in his report.
In the backyard of a Maple Street residence, through which Arnold ran, was a plastic bag containing envelope folds of heroin stamped “GUCCI,” Lanzilotti wrote.
After all the evidence was secured, Lanzilotti visited Arnold, who was being treated at a local hospital, to collect blood and urine for police laboratory analysis.
Officers also canvassed the neighborhood for any available security video.
Arnold’s car was released to family—after they consented to it being searched, and paid towing bills—on Jan. 9.
Arnold is also charged with resisting arrest/eluding officer, hindering apprehension, possession of controlled dangerous substance, and possession of hypodermic syringes. He was also issued 12 traffic summonses.