A man was arrested after fleeing from Bayonne police for getting caught with a stolen vehicle at a local car wash, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Elijah Gaffney, 24, of Roselle, was charged with receiving stolen property, obstructing a governmental function, resisting arrest by flight, being a fugitive from justice, as well as for an active warrant out of Essex County, according to Police Capt. Eric Amato.
Gaffney was taken into custody at about 3:17 p.m yesterday from the area of 12th Street and Avenue E. Officers responded to the area of the Gold Car Wash, located at 74 Avenue E, on a report of a possible stolen motor vehicle.
Upon arrival, the officers observed the vehicle in question at the car wash and began to investigate. While investigating, a man, later identified as Gaffney, he was positioned at the rear of the vehicle and observed the actions of the police.
After determining that Gaffney was in possession of the vehicle, the officers requested driving credentials. Upon being asked, Gaffney fled on foot and a foot chase ensued while officers repeatedly ordered him to stop running.
During the chase, officers were able to make contact with Gaffney in a nearby yard of a
residence and, from a distance, advised him that he was under arrest and to stop fleeing.
Gaffney again disregarded the officers’ commands and continued running but was ultimately apprehended without further incident. A check of the vehicle confirmed that it had been reported stolen out of Newark on August 16th.
During the arrest process, it was learned that arrest warrants for Gaffney were in effect: one out of Essex County Superior Court and the other out of New York City with full extradition.
As a result of the NYC warrant, he was additionally charged and processed as a fugitive from justice, police said.
