Paramus P.O. Dmitriy Mazur was patrolling the area around 6 last night when he heard a call from a security guard at Nordstrom to mall security that a “suspicious male” tried buying $1,653 worth of merchandise at the store, Chief Christopher Brock said.
Mazur spotted the man as he ducked out of the mall and got into a white Toyota Camry with New York license plates, the chief said. Another man was behind the wheel.
As Mazur approached, they tried to drive off, so the officer blocked them with his radio car, Brock said. But the driver threw the Toyota into reverse and it smashed another car three times before he found enough room to elude Mazur.
The passenger stayed in the car after they got stuck in traffic, but the driver hopped out and took off, Brock said. Detective Sgt. Kevin Delaney, who was patroling the lot, heard Mazur’s radio report, spotted the fleeing driver and caught up to him, Brock said.
The chief said his officers found the men carrying six bogus credit cards, three phony New Jersey driver’s licenses and personal identification for four actual people.
The driver, 42-year-old Omoruyi Wellington of the Bronx, is charged with eluding police, possession of stolen credit and identity theft. He also received six summonses for, among other offenses, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on $50,000 in the Bergen County Jail.
The passenger, Orlando St. Paul, 33, of Brooklyn, is charged with possession and attempted use of stolen credit cards and possession of bogus government ID. He’s being held on $20,000 bail.
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