Prosecutor: Drug Dealer Hits 3 Morris County Cops With Car, Flees to New York Before Major Bust

An alleged drug dealer already on parole was arrested late last week after hitting three Morristown police officers with his car and fleeing to upstate New York, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced.

Terrel Hyman, 32, of Newark, who also goes by the name of Rel and Cuddy was in the process of being apprehended through a search warrant on Thursday, Dec. 18, as law enforcement was wrapping up a multi-county heroin distribution network, Knapp said.

When police made contact with Hyman, he allegedly denied the commands of the officers and “created a tense scene by fleeing at a high rate of speed,” Knapp said. While fleeing, Hyman allegedly intentionally rammed a police vehicle with two uniformed officers inside, and another vehicle with a plain-clothed officer inside, Knapp said.

Hyman’s vehicle was later found abandoned in the vicinity of several commercial buildings in Morristown.

Investigators searched Hyman’s Newark residence where they found several hundred bags of heroin packaged for street level distribution and a loaded handgun, Knapp said.

Authorities were able to determine Hyman left the state and was at a residence in Rockland County, New York.

In conjunction with the Haverstraw Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and other agencies, authorities were able to take Hyman into custody on Friday, Dec. 19, Knapp said.

Hyman is currently incarcerated in New York while awaiting extradition to New Jersey. Bail has been set at $250,000 cash only. Hyman has been under parole supervision since 2009 stemming from a manslaughter charge, Knapp said.

Hyman is charged with eluding, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, possession of a handgun while committing a drug offense, certain persons not to possess weapons, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of heroin.

A second person was arrested as a result of the pursuit of Hyman, Knapp said. Lakema Holifield, 32, of Morristown, was charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine within 500 feet of public property, possession with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and hindering. Holifield’s bail was set at $250,000 with no 10-percent option.