Man Calls Cops To Brag About Escape, Gets Caught Anyway, Faces Multiple Charges

India-West News Desk

CLIFTON, NJ – A 38-year-old man named Vishal Bhatt is facing multiple criminal and motor vehicle charges after leading East Rutherford officers on a high-speed chase and later calling the department to boast about his getaway.

The incident began when Bhatt called the police to complain about a ticket he had received on January 28, but his comments during the call prompted a well-being check.

When officers arrived at his location, they found Bhatt in a white Kia Rio. According to a statement from police, Bhatt immediately fled the scene in his vehicle. Capt. Jeff Yannacone said in a statement that once  Bhatt saw the police officers, he sped off and ran through a stop sign. He then improperly passed a vehicle and almost hit an oncoming vehicle. Yannacone noted that officers attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop but Vishal accelerated at a high rate of speed, illegally passing several vehicles and putting the motoring public at risk.

Due to the dangerous conditions, officers terminated all attempts to stop him, though they were able to positively identify him as the driver. Following the escape, Yannacone said that Bhatt called the police department several times and began bragging about being able to elude police.

The situation concluded on January 30 when officers located Bhatt in Clifton and placed him under arrest.

He has been charged with eluding police and a variety of motor vehicle offenses, including unsafe operation of a vehicle, failure to stop for an emergency vehicle, and speeding across a sidewalk. He was also cited for failing to possess a driver’s license or insurance and was subsequently transported to the Bergen County Jail.