Tenafly Officer Released After Crash: Suspect Caught, Other Sought

TENAFLY, N.J. -- A Tenafly police officer was briefly hospitalized after his car crashed into a utility pole in Cresskill during a chase, authorities said. One suspect was in custody and at least one other was being sought, they said.

A good Samaritan helped get the officer out of the car, witnesses said.
Photo Credit: *Contributed photo*

The crash occurred at County Road and East Madison Avenue.
Photo Credit: *GoogleMaps*

Jerry DeMarco

11/20/2017 5:33 p.m.

The pursuit began after police were alerted to someone trying to pass a bogus check at the Chase Bank on County Road just after 2 p.m., Capt. Michael deMoncada said.

Responding officers spotted a black BMW SUV with New York license plates idling on Central Avenue just across the street from the bank, deMoncada said.

Two detectives entered the bank, while patrol officers approached the vehicle, he said.

Suddenly, the car roared off, heading north on Piermont Road, deMoncada said.

Police gave chase.

The Beamer entered Cresskill, turned onto East Madison Avenue, and then headed south on County Road, where police eventually lost sight of it.

The patrol car slammed into the pole on County Road near East Madison Avenue, leaving it hanging over the roadway.

Witnesses said a good Samaritan assisted the officer, who deMoncada said was briefly hospitalized before being released.

The detectives who entered the bank arrested 18-year-old Jai’iris D. Crawford, 18, of Englewood on charges of attempted theft, passing a fraudulent check, and possession of a fraudulent credit card.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the black BMW SUV or the attempted check-cashing scheme is urged to contact the Tenafly Police Detective Bureau: (201) 568-5100.

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