Fair Lawn Police Officer Injured Catching Wanted Panhandler

FAIR LAWN, N.J. – A Fair Lawn police officer was injured chasing down a panhandler who was wanted on warrants, authorities said Monday.

The Elmwood Park VAC took the injured officer to The Valley Hospital, police said.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: Michelle Jaskot*

Jerry DeMarco

09/04/2017 1:26 p.m.

Several officers “approached Phillip Maroney, 34, of Paterson, on the Fair Lawn Avenue bridge after reports that he was asking motorists for money,” Sgt. Brian Metzler said.

Once Maroney discovered he was being arrested for two outstanding warrants out of Paterson, he took off, Metzler said.

The officers caught Maroney on McLean Boulevard, but not before Officer Tiller Urate sustained a knee injury that will keep him out on medical leave indefinitely, the sergeant said.

The Elmwood Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps took Maroney to The Valley Hospital, where he was treated before being released.

Maroney was charged with escape and resisting arrest and sent to the Bergen County Jail.

A judge on Saturday ordered him released, under New Jersey’s 2017 Bail Reform & Speedy Trial Act, after a detention hearing.

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