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Driver Who Rammed Wayne, Fairfield Cruisers Jailed After Chase, Crash

WAYNE, N.J. -- Wayne police on Wednesday identified a man who they said tried to run over a police officer at the Willowbrook Mall, crashing a car he'd just stolen into the officer's patrol cruiser and then, later, another police car, before he was captured on Route 46 in Fairfield.

Alterick Harris

Alterick Harris

Photo Credit: MUGSHOT: Courtesy ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF

Alterick Harris, 42, of Newark became "became irate and argumentative" with the owner of the silver BMW as they were driving outside the mall, then took the keys and sped off after she got out, Detective Capt. Laurence Martin said.

Flagged down by the woman, responding Officer Pawel Jadczak positioned his cruiser behind the Beamer, the captain said.

The officer got out and tried to talk with Harris, who threw the car into reverse -- forcing Jadczak to jump out of the way to avoid being run down, he said.

The BMW slammed into Jadczak's car and Harris sped off through the lot, running a stop sign and a red light before eventually making an illegal turn onto westbound Route 46, Martin said.

Moments later, the Beamer crashed into a patrol car driven by a Fairfield police officer who joined the chase -- injuring him -- before Harris was taken into custody near the Home Depot off Bloomfield Avenue in Pine Brook.

Harris was being held in the Essex County Jail on a variety of charges out of both jurisdictions.

Wayne police charged him with eluding, aggravated assault on police and unlawful taking of a vehicle.

They also issued him 18 traffic summonses involving "creating an unsafe and dangerous environment," Martin said.

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ALSO SEE: A woman was dead and a young boy in surgery after they were struck Tuesday night while crossing a Wayne road.https://southpassaic.dailyvoice.com/police-fire/woman-killed-boy-critically-injured-crossing-wayne-road/733543/

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