Car Chase, Shooting Near Irvington Park; Newark Man Arrested: PD

Newark NJ

11 March, 2021

5:23 PM

Description

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County sheriff's officers have apprehended a Newark man who was allegedly involved in a high-speed chase and shooting near Irvington Park, authorities said. Others involved in Tuesday evening's chase remain at large, according to a statement from Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura. Officers were patrolling the area of Olson Place and Lyons Avenue in Irvington, when they saw a black Dodge Charger and a silver Nissan Altima in a "high-speed chase" near the park's entrance. Shortly afterward, the Altima pulled up directly behind the Charger, and a person began to fire several shots from the sunroof of the vehicle, police said. Once shots were fired, the officers immediately turned on their emergency lights and sirens in order to pursue the vehicles, authorities said. The Charger traveled north on Grove Street and then westbound on May Street before officers lost sight of it. However, the officers were able to keep up with the Altima, which traveled north on Grove Street. Police tailed the Altima out of the park and were able to close the gap. At that time, the driver of the Altima allegedly attempted to lose the officers by making a sharp turn onto Nye Avenue, but lost control and slammed into an iron fence, authorities stated. After the crash, two men got out of the driver's side door of the Altima and began running north on Grove Street, police said. The officers got out of their patrol cars and gave chase, calling the command post to request backup. A short time afterward, several patrol units canvassing the area saw a man fitting the description of one of the suspects walking south on 21st Street, authorities said. The man, later identified as Shyiem Bennett, 26, of Newark, surrendered, put his hands up and dropped down to the ground, police said. Officers arrested Bennett, then returned to search the Altima. Inside the vehicle, police found a Beretta Model AXP .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, which was loaded with four hollow-point bullets. Police said six bullet casings were later recovered at the scene of the shooting. Authorities charged Bennett with aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm, resisting arrest and conspiracy. In addition to those charges, Bennett was found to be in possession of 25 decks of heroin at the time of his arrest, and was charged with illegal possession of a dangerous substance. Bennett was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, where he will await a hearing on his charges, police said Thursday. Officers are still investigating the whereabouts of the unidentified driver of the Nissan Altima, police said. Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected]. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.