Five Arrested After Overnight Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle Ends in Montville

East Hanover police, with support from multiple agencies, apprehended five suspects after a low-speed chase of a stolen Audi that began shortly after 1 a.m.

Five individuals were taken into custody early Wednesday morning following a police pursuit that began in East Hanover and concluded in Montville, according to the East Hanover Police Department.

At approximately 1:00 a.m., East Hanover Police Officer Cerese and her training officer, Officer Panzarino, identified a stolen Audi Q5 while patrolling residential areas. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Newark. An attempted traffic stop on Ridgedale Avenue northbound toward Route 280 quickly escalated when the vehicle fled, prompting a pursuit involving multiple East Hanover Police Department (EHPD) units.

During the chase, the fleeing vehicle struck a curb, causing a flat tire and reducing its speed. The pursuit continued into neighboring municipalities and ended in Montville when all five occupants exited the disabled vehicle and attempted to flee on foot.

EHPD officers immediately apprehended two suspects. With assistance from several local and county agencies, the remaining three were located and arrested. One suspect attempted to evade capture by jumping into a pond but was quickly detained with the help of the Morris County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit.

The suspects were transported to the East Hanover Police Department for processing. The individuals charged include Qumarrye Richardson, 19, of Bloomfield, and three juveniles, who were all released following charges. A fifth suspect, Quadee Tubbs, 19, of Irvington, was taken to the Morris County Correctional Facility.

The East Hanover Police Department expressed appreciation for the coordinated support from Parsippany Police Department, Montville Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, North Caldwell Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and the New Jersey State Police.

Authorities emphasized that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.