SPARTA TOWNSHIP, NJ (Sussex County) – Three New York men have been jailed following a pursuit in Sparta Township Friday afternoon.
At 2:55 p.m., township police were advised of motorcycles travelling north on Route 15 from Jefferson Township allegedly driving erratically and at a high rate of speed, police said.
A township officer observed 3 motorcycles travelling north on Route 15 at an extremely high rates of speed and was able to clock the lead bike at 104 mph. The officer then activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the bikes, police said.
All three motorcycles recklessly exited onto Route 517 north in an attempt to lose the Sparta officer. The motorcycles turned onto West Mountain Rd and the officer reported their speed to be in excess of 100 mph, police said.
The shift supervisor advised the officer to discontinue the pursuit due to the risk of injury to the officer and the general public, police said.
Police dispatch sent out a description and last location to surrounding towns. Several minutes later, a Hardyston patrol reported that 3 motorcycles just turned down a dead-end street in Hardyston. Sparta police responded to their location and the Sparta officer was able to identify all 3 bikes as being the ones that eluded the officer, police said.
The motorcycle operators were identified as, Christopher Pena-Jimenez, 23, of the Bronx, NY, Isaias Vasquez-Encarnacion, 27, of the Bronx, NY and Jose E. Fernandez, 39, of the Bronx, NY.
All three were charged with second-degree resisting arrest and eluding.
Vasquez-Encarnacion was additionally charged with the following motor vehicle offenses: speeding, reckless, careless, fail to use signal, improper passing and fail to keep right.
Fernandez and Pena-Jimenez was additionally charged with reckless, careless, fail to use signal, improper passing and fail to keep right.
The three men were transported and lodged in the Keogh Dwyer Correctional Facility to await their court appearance.
All three motorcycles were impounded and may be subject to forfeiture.
For more Northwest Jersey’s News, tune into 92.7FM, 104.7FM, 1510AM, wrnj.com or on the TuneIn app.
By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
