Paramus police arrest man after wild chase; see video

A man was arrested after allegedly evading police in two towns, ramming squad cars and injuring an officer on Wednesday, authorities said.

Oakland Police first issued a “be on the lookout” alert just after 4 p.m. for the driver of a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta who was wanted for questioning for a suspicious incident at a Walgreens drugstore, authorities said. The driver was later identified as Nicholas Vizzone, a 24-year-old from Roseland.

When Paramus Police Officer Thomas Holden saw the Volkswagen on Route 17 near Midland Avenue, the vehicle fled south, authorities said. When the vehicle arrived at the Lukoil gas station on Route 17 south near Farview Avenue, the car jumped the curb, struck a civilian car and then fled onto Gertrude Avenue.

The car went into the Coach USA bus yard on Pleasant Avenue, authorities said, and into a storage yard which belongs to Paramus Honda.

Vizzone, while on the lot, struck three parked vehicles which belonged to Paramus Honda, authorities said. He then smashed into two Paramus police cars. One officer was hurt. He was taken to Hackensack University Medical Center for neck and back injuries, where he’s expected to be released.

Vizzone wasn’t finished driving yet, authorities said, as he drove through a chain link fence and locked gate back onto Pleasant Avenue, where he fled onto Passaic Street heading toward Hackensack. He got onto the New Jersey Turnpike, but struck another civilian car in the area of Exit 15W. He was then taken into custody by New Jersey State Police and police from East Rutherford. He was eventually brought to the Paramus Police Department.

Vizzone was charged with reckless endangerment, eluding police with a motor vehicle and criminal mischief, police said. He also had a warrant for his arrest, but it was not known for what charge. He remained in the Bergen County Jail without bail, where he’s waiting for his first court appearance.

The wild chase was one of two that involved police in Paramus. Earlier, two Paterson men were arrested for evading police.