Police: Newark Man In Stolen Tractor-Trailer Cab Leads Cops On Wild Chase
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- It was a wild scene in Newark Saturday as police chased a stolen tractor-trailer cab through several neighborhoods before the truck crashed and one brave officer brought it all to an end with a daring move.
Dasheenah Bernabela said she was nearly hit by the truck as Newark police said the man behind the wheel led officers on a chase.
"I was scared to death," she told CBS2's Brian Conybeare. "The guy coming on the sidewalk from nowhere and I was so inches close to it, so I just jumped up out of the way."
Around 2:30 p.m., authorities said the truck was stolen on Frelinghuysen Avenue near Newark Airport and spotted a few blocks away by truck's owner, who then called police.
When officers converged on the truck, investigators said the man behind the wheel, 38-year-old Charles Lee of Newark, refused to stop when they tried to pull him over.
Lee eventually took the truck onto Route 78 then got off at Fabyan Place, police said. Surveillance video obtained by CBS2 shows Newark police cruisers racing down Hawthorne Avenue after the stolen truck just before 3 p.m.
"Three cop cars was behind it. As soon as the light changed, he shoot down the street," said witness Baseem Williams.
It all came to a crashing halt on Hawthorne Avenue when police said the rig hit two pedestrians, at least two parked cars and smashed into two police cruisers.
But when the truck stalled, police said Officer Michael Walski saw his chance and climbed into the truck.
Tamekia Middleton saw the drama unfold and couldn't believe it.
"A cop jumps out his car and jumps in the tractor with him now. They still moving, I don't know what they do to bring the tractor to a stop, but it comes to a halt," Middleton said. "I'm telling you, that was the world's dumbest criminal because where did you think you were going with that slow tractor-trailer with all those Newark police on you?"
The suspect was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He was arrested on several charges including aggravated assault, theft, resisting arrest and eluding.
Officer Walski also went to the hospital, but is expected to be OK, as are the pedestrians who were also hit.
