The pursuit began around 6:44 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, when Clifton police got information that a 2021 Ford Explorer recently stolen from Wallington was in the area of Ackerman Avenue and Route 21. Lt. Robert Anderson said.
Officer Alexander Gell discovered the stolen SUV near Lakeview and Piaget avenues around 7:14 a.m., according to Anderson. The motorist originally pulled over before speeding away, leading officers on a pursuit along Lexington Avenue, Route 46 East, and Route 20 North into Paterson, according to police.
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Officer Fatijon Zuta joined the pursuit as the SUV circled a city block, re-entered Route 20 northbound, and then exited onto Market Street, where it collided with a curb near East 42nd Street, rendering it immobilized, according to Anderson.
Lt. Gary Giardina, Sgt. Charles Kling, Officer Justin Davila, and Officer John DeGroat arrived at the scene to assist Gell and Zuta, and all four occupants cooperated with cops before being arrested, according to Anderson.
The driver was identified as Justin Pinto, 19, of Garfield. Police identified the passengers as Christopher Rivera-Fuentes, 18, of Passaic, and Joshua and Luis Pabon, both 18, of Clifton.
Anderson said all four had been charged with receiving a stolen car. Pinto was also charged with evading and issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.
According to authorities, the group was processed and transferred to the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Hub to await their initial court appearance.
