Man Charged With Aggravated Assault After Car Chase In Mahwah

MAHWAH, NJ — A Connecticut man is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, after authorities said he and a driver led a New Jersey State trooper on a multi-county chase Sunday and then pointed a gun at the trooper.

Tyree Newell, 20, of Bridgeport was charged with aggravated assault, possession of hollow-point ammunition, possession of a high-capacity magazine and four counts each of unlawful possession of a weapon, the Office of Attorney General announced on Monday.

The driver of the car, Theron Brown, 22, of Bridgeport, also been charged with possessing weapons and ammunition. Brown and Newell were being held at Hudson County jail as of Monday.

The chase began at approximately 11:08 a.m. when a New Jersey state trooper attempted to stop a Jeep Cherokee for a traffic violation on I-287 north in Boonton Township, officials said.

A chase then ensued when the driver, Brown, didn't stop, police said.

During the chase, Newell pointed a gun at the trooper, police said. Soon after, the police officer's car struck a concrete barrier in the center median of I-287, but the trooper was able to return to the road and continue the pursuit, authorities said.

By the time the two cars reached milepost 66.5 in Mahwah, about 20 miles into the chase, Newell threw a weapon from the car, police said. Newell then continued to throw other objects from the vehicle as they continued south on Route 17, authorities said.

Handguns were later discovered along the highway, and Montville Police recovered a 9 mm handgun with an extended magazine at milepost 66.5 on Interstate 287. According to the AG's Office, a total of four 9 mm handguns were found.

Newell and Brown eventually left the vehicle and fled on foot in the area of Continental Soldier Field in Mahwah, authorities said. But they were soon apprehended by troopers and assisting officers from the Mahwah Police Department after a "brief" foot pursuit.

During that pursuit, Newell tried to discard a 9 mm handgun, but it was later recovered in a wooded area by a trooper and an officer from Mahwah Police Department, authorities said.

Newell was also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, tampering with evidence, and hindering.

Brown was charged with four counts of unlawful possession of a weapon with a prior conviction and unlawful possession of a weapon, as well as possession of hollow point ammunition, possession of a high-capacity magazine, certain persons not to possess a firearm, and eluding.

The case is being investigated by the New Jersey State Police Major Crimes North Unit and is being prosecuted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the AG's Office said.