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Officer Louis Smaragdakis was on patrol on Knickerbocker Road when he pulled over a dark-colored Honda Accord near Floral Terrace for tailgating around 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Capt. Michael deMoncada said Tuesday.
The officer smelled marijuana and spotted “gloves, masks, and other items commonly associated with criminal activity” in the car, he said.
Lt. Timothy O’Reilly and Officer Andrew Toal had just arrived when the driver – later identified as 27-year-old Curtis Coleman of Hackensack – ran off, deMoncada said.
Toal chased Coleman through backyards and over several fences before grabbing him, the captain said.
Coleman had to be treated at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center for minor injuries sustained during his flight, deMoncada said.
His passengers -- Tahref Folkes, 25, of Englewood, and Rashad Black, 29, of Hackensack – we taken into custody without incident, he said.
All three were charged with possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and burglary tools, as well as with receiving stolen property.
Coleman, who deMoncada said was hospitalized in police custody for an unrelated medical condition, also was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and hindering. His bail was set at $10,000.
Folkes was released after posting $7,500 bail. Black remained held in the Bergen County Jail on the same amount.
Police seized their vehicle, obtained a search warrant and on Monday turned up the safe, jewelry and other valuables, deMoncada said.
Park Ridge police were expected to file charges stemming from the break-in, he said.
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