Unlicensed Driver Leads Bloomfield Cops on Car Chase

An unlicensed driver led Bloomfield police on a car chase on June 21, speeding across a sidewalk and improperly entering a highway in his efforts to shake the pursuing officers.

Arriving at Bloomfield Avenue on a report of a motor vehicle crash, officers were alerted that a 2002 Hyundai had left the scene. Locating the car, officers began to pursue the driver, later identified as Avel Guevara.

After leading police on a chase into Glen Ridge, Guevara eventually came to a stop on Midland Avenue, where he was arrested and taken into custody.

Police charged him with leaving the scene of an accident, operating a motor vehicle while in possession of CDS marijuana, reckless driving, driving while suspended, improper entering of a highway, speeding across a sidewalk, failure to use proper entrances, failure to possess a driver’s license, possession of CDS marijuana (under 50 grams), eluding police in a motor vehicle and eluding police on foot.

His bail was set at $12,500, with a 10 percent cash option.

Later that evening, the owner of the vehicle - Jhasmin Buuista-Larrea, 21, of Elizabeth – was arrested at police headquarters when she arrived to bail out Guevara.

According to police, Buuista-Larrea had an active warrant out of Newark. She was processed and released ROR by Newark.