Montclair Cop Hurt While Chasing Teen Caught In Stolen Car: Police

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A police officer in Montclair suffered “serious lacerations” to his head and face during a struggle with a teen caught in a stolen car last weekend, authorities announced Monday.

According to the Montclair Police Department, officers responded to the 50-block of Greenwood Avenue at 6:52 a.m. on Saturday to investigate a complaint about people acting “suspiciously” in the rear parking lot.

The person who called police said they saw several males in a white Range Rover and a silver Kia Optima hiding behind two vehicles that were parked in the lot. When officers arrived, they saw both vehicles leaving the parking lot – with the Range Rover in front and the Kia following behind.

Montclair officers checked the registration on the Kia, which was stolen from East Orange earlier that day, authorities said.

When police tried to stop the vehicles, the drivers refused to pull over and a car chase began near Greenwood and Glenridge avenues. Here’s what happened next, authorities said:

“Throughout the pursuit, both vehicles remained in tandem. Upon reaching Lincoln Street and Maple Avenue, the driver of the Kia lost control and struck the curb. The driver of the Kia exited and began to flee on foot. A Montclair officer engaged in a foot pursuit with the driver of the Kia. The officer continued to give chase until the suspect was apprehended on Irving Street. The suspect continued to fight with the officer until he was eventually placed in handcuffs.”

The Range Rover continued fleeing the scene, and was last spotted headed south on Orange Road.

The officer sustained serious lacerations to his head and face during the struggle. A Montclair EMS crew transported the injured officer to University Hospital in Newark for treatment, police said.

The suspect involved in the struggle – a 16-year-old Montclair resident, was charged with receiving stolen property, eluding and resisting arrest. He was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center and released, police said.

Thankfully, the injured officer will make a full recovery, Montclair Police Chief Todd Conforti said.

“Any time an officer is injured in the line of duty, it serves as a stark reminder of their selfless dedication and sacrifice to our community,” Conforti said.

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