NJ Man Arrested After Calling Cops To Taunt Them Over Escape, Authorities Say

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — A 38-year-old Passaic County man has been arrested after successfully eluding a police chase and calling the cops to brag about his escape, authorities said.

Vishal Bhatt, of Clifton, faces more than a dozen charges following the high-speed chase and subsequent bragging session, police say.

On Thursday, Bhatt called the East Rutherford Police Department to dispute a traffic ticket he’d received the day before. Bhatt’s comments prompted concern from police, who swiftly conducted a wellness check at his location near Paterson Avenue and Oak Street.

Authorities found Bhatt in the driver’s seat of his white Kia Rio. Once Bhatt spotted the officers, he sped off, running a stop sign, according to officials.

A chase ensued, with Bhatt improperly passing cars at a high rate of speed, “putting the motoring public at risk,” according to police.

In the public safety’s best interest, police officers called off the pursuit of Bhatt at that time, but positively identified that it was Bhatt in the car, authorities said.

Moments after the chase ended, Bhatt called the East Rutherford Police Department several times, “bragging about being able to elude the officers,” officials said.

Bhatt was arrested without incident on Friday in Clifton while driving his Kia.

He was charged with the following:

• Eluding police
• Speeding
• Careless driving
• Reckless driving
• Unsafe operation of a motor vehicle
• Unsafe lane change
• Failure to comply with directions of a police officer
• Failure to observe traffic control device
• Failure to signal
• Failure to observe traffic lanes
• Failure to stop for emergency vehicle
• Failure to yield
• Failure to possess a driver's license
• Failure to possess insurance
• Following too close
• Obstructing the passage of other vehicles
• Failure to keep right
• Speeding across the sidewalk
• Failure to yield

Bhatt was taken to Bergen County Jail to await court proceedings.